Jagmohan Dalmiya: India’s Kerry Packer

Jagmohan Dalmiya was a name to reckon with in the field of cricket as he was a successful cricket administrator. He served on the prestigious positions of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and also Cricket Association of Bengal. Prior to his current position he was the President of International Cricket Council. It was his tireless efforts that has made India a cricket powerhouse of today. Some of his notable contributions to the world of cricket are as follows:

• It was his efforts along with those of IS Bindra, that India and Pakistan got the golden opportunity to co-host the Reliance World Cup in 1987. Previously England had played host to the event in its first three editions i.e. 1975, 1979 and 1983.
• It was Dalmiya who in 1993, put his strong foot forward against state-owned Doordarshan and demanded that the broadcaster has to pay for TV rights to telecast the matches. The revenue so earned went to BCCI. Fortunately, the time coincided with India’s Cable TV revolution and thus the sequence of events ensured continuous cash flow to BCCI. The idea completely changed the way cricket was showcased by media and perceived by the public.
• Furthermore, it was Dalmiya, also ended the duopoly of England and Australia to head the body by becoming its President. This brought India to the centre-stage of world cricket.

Although his later years in cricket were mired in controversies but he will be always remembered for his contribution to cricket and be known as “India’s Kerry Packer.”