Sourav Ganguly, set to be elected unopposed as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, has pointed out that the conflict of interest is a very serious issue in Indian cricket and needs to be sorted out.

“Conflict of interest is an issue... Whether you will actually get the best cricketers in the (BCCI) system, I am not sure because they will have other options to avail then,” Sourav said in Mumbai on Monday after filing his nomination. “Because if they come into the system and not get to do what is their livelihood, it’s very difficult for them to be part of this system and make a difference. So, that’s one issue which really needs to be looked at. Look at all the appointments that have happened in various forms. Whether it is the NCA or CAC (cricket advisory committee) or the appointment of batting coaches, fielding coaches, there has been an issue with everything… commentators, IPL... This needs to be sorted as it is another very serious issue.”

Sourav clarified that he had not expressed aspirations to become the new BCCI chief. “I had never expressed my aspirations for this position.There were senior people in the BCCI. I never spoke to anyone and never expressed that I was keen.Ninety per cent of the representatives in the BCCI are currently new, absolutely new. The way the current constitution is framed, a lot of people are tentative to even decide on positions in the BCCI because if it’s not good enough and if it’s not a position where you can work and make a difference, you wouldn’t want to be a part of it as you lose your position in your state association then. Besides, there are a lot of issues very complex and complicated, and they are actually different from what ground-level work is. I was not aware of this till 10.30 in the night (on Sunday), till I was told that I needed to be the president and take this association forward with Jay (Shah, new BCCI secretary) and Arun (Singh Dhumal, new treasurer), and the vice-president and the apex council members and (joint secretary) Jayesh George. I felt it was a great responsibility because even when I became captain in the year 2000, there were issues going around. It’s always great to be looked at as someone who can do things in difficult situations and hopefully, I can deliver,” the former India captain elaborated.'

Reflecting on how it was an “emergency-like situation' in the BCCI in the last three years, Sourav hopes the new administration can restore normalcy in the Board in the coming months.

“It’s a very important time in Indian cricket administration because of what all have happened in the last three years. To be in a position where I can make a difference along with the team would be extremely satisfying, so hopefully in the next few months, we can put everything in place and bring back normalcy in Indian cricket,” he said.

Sourav already has his wish-list ready. “We will speak to everyone first as we take a decision, but my biggest priority will be to look after first-class cricketers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sourav also thanked Union minister and former Board chief Anurag Thakur who played a stellar role. “The new team at. @bcci .. hopefully we can work well .. anurag thakur thank you for seeing this through @ianuragthakur,” Sourav wrote on his Twitter handle along with a picture of the would-be office-bearers and Thakur.