BCCI flourished in Eden, but hijacked by TN: Bishan Singh Bedi

Kolkata: Taking at dig at Indian Cricket Board's president-in-exile N Srinivasan, spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi on Tuesday said it was a mystery to see the BCCI, which was born in Delhi and flourished at the Eden Gardens here, being hijacked by Tamil Nadu.

"I think it's pertinent to say that the BCCI was born in Delhi at the Roshanara Club. That was a historical moment but then it flourished at the Eden Gardens. But how the BCCI got hijacked by Tamil Nadu is a mystery for me," said Bedi, who is staunch critic of Srinivasan.

Talking on the sidelines of a postal stamp release to commemorate 150 years of the Eden Gardens, Bedi rated historic ground here as one of the best in the world.

"I think this (Eden) is the place, this is the most electrifying cricket centre in the world. Eden Gardens gives Melbourne Cricket Ground a lot to chase. I'm very proud to be here. It's a very nostalgic moment. It has a sporting history," the former India skipper said at the function which was also attended by Dilip Vengsarkar, Erapalli Prasanna, B S Chandrasekhar and West Indies pace legend Michael Holding.

"I have fond memories of Eden Gardens. I made my Test debut here on January 1 and during the Test we had fire in the stands and teargas in the dressing room. That for me was really baptism by fire.

"I would like to mention here that this is a very touching tribute to one and only (CAB president) Jagmohan Dalmiya."

Recollecting his playing days, Bedi said: "I was always happy to have shared the dressing room with the likes of (Ajit) Wadekar, Prasanna and Vengsarkar."