BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has dismissed allegations in certain quarters that he had been “influencing” selectors by being a part of selection committee meetings.

“I don’t think I need to answer anybody anything and dignify any of these baseless accusations. I am the president of BCCI and I do the job of what the president of BCCI should be doing,” the former India captain said.

“Also just to let you know, I see a picture doing the rounds (on social media) showing me sitting in a selection committee meeting. I want to make it clear, that picture (where he can be seen sitting with secretary Jay Shah, then skipper Virat Kohli and joint secretary Jayesh George) wasn’t from a selection committee meeting. Jayesh George isn’t a part of selection committee meetings. (I have played) 424 international matches for India. Not a bad idea at times to remind people about it, isn’t it?”

Sourav also informed that the BCCI is in the final stages of planning a Women’s IPL, which, he said, should take off in 2023.

“We are at the level of formulation to have a full-fledged WIPL. It is certainly going to happen,” he said. “I strongly believe that next year i.e. 2023 will be a very good time to start a full-fledged women’s IPL which will be as big and grand a success as men’s IPL.”

The BCCI’s argument against the Women’s IPL has been that Indian cricket doesn’t possess the sort of depth in its domestic circuit that is required for a tournament of such stature. In 2019, Sourav had suggested that a seven-team women’s IPL could well come to fruition in 2023, when he had said, “you need a lot more women players. I see that in four years’ time, to get a seven-team IPL with the best women players (in participation)”.

After the Big Bash Women’s League, the Pakistan Cricket Board has also recently said they would be launching a women’s league. The BCCI president also confirmed a report in Friday’s edition of The Telegraph that the T20Is versus West Indies would be held behind closed doors. This, despite the state government allowing 75 per cent spectators at sport venues.

“Let me put this on record. We are not allowing spectators at the Eden Gardens for the three T20Is. There will not be any tickets for the general public. The only people allowed are CAB officials and representatives of the various units,” Sourav said.

“In these times, we can’t risk the health of the players by allowing spectators.”