Sourav Ganguly seems to have reconciled with the inevitable. With five days of his tenure as the BCCI president still remaining. He is already referring to in the past tense

I was the CAB president for the five years. Then I was the Board president for three years he said at a promotional event. While reflecting on his days an administrator.

“So many good things have happened in the last three years”. We had IPL during the Covid pandemic, which was extremely difficult for all of us. We took home the U-19 World Cup. The broadcast rights were purchased at an all-time high. And, if the senior women’s team had won gold at the Commonwealth Games, they could have defeated Australia. “These were fantastic moments for me as a manager,” he said.

The allusion came after a philosophical Ganguly stated that “nothing is permanent,” whether one is a player or an administrator. “I’ve been an administrator; now I’ll do something else.”

Although there are no indications of what is next for him. The former captain, who turns 50 this July, would almost certainly have something planned. He did, however, leave a hint that he is ready to return for another inning. “Perhaps I’ll go on to do bigger things in the future,” he speculated.

Is he hiding something, or was it just another philosophical statement? With his ability to bounce back, it’s not surprising that he already has a deal in place. It is believed he was interested in joining the ICC after his time with the BCCI. But reports indicate he does not have the support of the Board.

One could read a lot into an innocuous reference to the Prime Minister – “You don’t become a Sachin Tendulkar, or an Ambani, or a Narendra Modi in one day” – but it could also be too early to discuss collaborations.

Sourav’s brand value will be preserved.

Is it time to return to the commentary box? He did take up the microphone several times to ask the event’s promoter a few questions. Sourav Ganguly was quick to clarify when the event organisers showed a clip of him and Rahul Dravid joking in the commentary box. With a familiar face in the background and a line below reading: Binny 0-23. “That is not Roger Binny.” Stuart Binny is his name.”

Even if he is no longer in charge of cricket, Ganguly’s brand value will undoubtedly remain intact. In fact, he is one of the most visible faces on television screens and billboards. Especially in this part of the world. On Thursday, he was named Bandhan Bank’s brand ambassador, possibly for the millionth time. He’ll find ways to keep himself occupied.