IS Bindra pays tribute to one-time colleague Jagmohan Dalmiya

Chandigarh: Former BCCI President IS Bindra on Monday paid tribute to his one-time administrative colleague Jagmohan Dalmiya and recalled their days of building Indian cricket into a global powerhouse.

"Jaggu's vision energy and dedication built Indian cricket into a global powerhouse I can never forget & recall today our long innings 2gether RIP," 71-year-old Bindra, also former Punjab Cricket Association President tweeted today.

Later Bindra, who is abroad also issued a statement, and recalled his close association with the late BCCI President.

"I remember today my long innings with Jagmohan Dalmiya from 1980-1996 when we worked together to lay the solid foundations of Indian cricket and built it into a global powerhouse. In 1984 under the leadership of NKP Salve we moved the World Cup out of England giving South Asian cricket fans the excitement and glory of the 1987 Reliance World Cup," Bindra stated.

He further said, "we succeeded in eliminating the English and Australian stranglehold on global cricket and made the ICC a truly representative and democratic global polity. Those were also the days when we earnestly laid the foundations of making Indian cricket the commercial force it is today by breaking the monopoly of Doordarshan as the sole broadcaster of Indian cricket".

"This was not as easy as it looks today. It took patience, perseverance and mental strength to fight the monopoly all the way up to the Supreme Court of India. The Court issued a landmark judgement in 1994 which catalysed the satellite broadcasting industry in India. Indian cricket was further strengthened in 1994 when we successfully won the right to host the second World Cup in the subcontinent.

"The 1996 World Cup introduced many elements of global marketing to Indian cricket. As such it set the stage for what is a given in this day and age of Indian cricket. Jaggu's passion, energy and dedication was instrumental in achieving this all," Bindra added.

He described Dalmiya as "an able cricket administrator".

"I, along with millions of cricket lovers around the world, salute his commitment and dedication to the game."

Meanwhile, M P Pandove, Secretary General, Punjab Cricket Association, also condoled Dalmiya's demise.

Pandove fondly recalled his long association with Dalmiya.

He said that he enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with Dalmiya for a very long time in BCCI.

Pandove further said that Dalmiya would be remembered for the financial turnaround in the BCCI.

He stated that the members of the PCA join him in conveying their heartfelt condolences to the family of Dalmiya.