Sourav Ganguly

A new complaint alleged a conflict between Ganguly's responsibilities in Bengal cricket and his professional links with JSW Sports / Pretoria Capitals. The BCCI officially lists an order by its Ethics Officer dated 20 January 2026 in the case of Sanjeev Gupta vs Saurav Ganguly.

State of the evidence

Existence of proceedings and an order dated 20 January 2026 confirmed by BCCI

Attribution

Conflict of interest alleged

Former Cricket Association of Bengal president Avishek Dalmiya called for an integrity and anti-corruption investigation, alleging a lack of transparency and deteriorating governance. The allegations directly fuelled a confrontation with the administration led by Sourav Ganguly.

State of the evidence

Public allegations and institutional response documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility alleged as CAB executive

Following a chaotic event involving Lionel Messi in Kolkata, public allegations targeted Sourav Ganguly over his supposed role in organising it. Ganguly denied being the organiser and sued the president of an Argentinian fan club for defamation over allegations he considered false.

State of the evidence

Public allegations and defamation action documented

Attribution

Reputational and organisational responsibility alleged and disputed

Ganguly prompted a strong reaction after describing the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College as an 'isolated' or 'stray' incident. Following criticism, he clarified his remarks, supported demands for justice and subsequently displayed a sign of mourning on social media.

State of the evidence

Remarks and public reaction documented

Attribution

Personal responsibility for a public statement

The Indian Express reported that, as BCCI president, Ganguly attended selection committee meetings although the BCCI constitution normally separated those roles. Former selectors described his regular attendance, and Wriddhiman Saha had mentioned personal assurances received from Ganguly.

State of the evidence

Press investigation and testimony from former selectors documented

Attribution

Institutional interference alleged

While serving as BCCI president, Ganguly was criticised for personal advertising contracts, including with My11Circle while Dream11 was an Indian cricket partner, and for links with JSW in the context of an IPL franchise.

State of the evidence

Commercial controversies documented

Attribution

Disputed potential conflict of interest

After Virat Kohli stepped down as T20 captain, Ganguly claimed that the BCCI had asked him not to relinquish the role. Kohli publicly stated that he had never been asked to reconsider, creating a direct contradiction at the top of Indian cricket.

State of the evidence

Conflicting public statements documented

Attribution

Executive responsibility in a governance controversy

Ganguly faced several complaints concerning simultaneous roles, including at the Cricket Association of Bengal, the Cricket Advisory Committee and in connection with an IPL franchise. In 2019, the Ethics Officer found that roles on the CAC and in the IPL created a conflict requiring a choice.

State of the evidence

Complaints and Ethics Officer decisions documented

Attribution

Personal institutional responsibility

The Supreme Court annulled the land allotment granted by the West Bengal government to Sourav Ganguly for a school project, criticising the state's procedure and finding the allocation arbitrary.

State of the evidence

Supreme Court judgment documented

Attribution

Beneficiary of an annulled public decision, without established personal corruption

The dispute between Sourav Ganguly and coach Greg Chappell became public after the leak of an email from Chappell criticising the captain's conduct and leadership. Ganguly disputed these assessments; he subsequently lost the captaincy and was dropped from the team before returning.

State of the evidence

Dispute, Chappell's email and sporting consequences documented

Attribution

Direct party to a major professional dispute