NEW DELHI: Jagmohan Dalmiya would have never made a mark in the power corridors of Indian cricket had former BCCI president Biswanath Dutt not brought him to the Cricket Association of Bengal in 1977.
A day after his ward’s demise, the 90-year-old Dutt still remembers those days when a young Dalmiya impressed him with his intellect and honesty. The two met for the first time in early 70s at the Calcutta High Court and that too as rivals. Dutta was then heading the Indian Football Association (IFA), and Dalmiya was taking baby steps as an administrator of Rajasthan Club’s football unit. “There was some dispute in the IFA first division league, and Dalmiya moved High Court challenging IFA’s decision. He was an outstanding speaker and he almost convinced the judge in their favour,” a nostalgic Dutt told Express from Kolkata.
Even though the matter was settled outside the court, Dalmiya’s honesty and smart thinking impressed the veteran administrator. A couple of years back, when the Amar Ghosh-led faction won the CAB elections in 1977, Dutt was appointed secretary, while Dalmiya was the treasurer. That was how Dalmiya made an entry into cricket administration.
“We needed someone like him, who could handle every situation. He was an extremely honest person, and most importantly, had the pluck to call a spade a spade. In spite of having a clear stand point, he could unite all forces. That’s what made him popular,” the veteran administrator recollected.
In 1983 when he was appointed the treasurer of the BCCI, his contemporaries in the CAB knew he would make it big. “In such a short time, Dalmiya had become immensely popular in the circuit. So, later on when he took charge as ICC president, Dalmiya was never hesitant in taking the toughest of the decisions,” Dutt, who has been the BCCI chief from 1988-1991, said.
Even after staying away from BCCI for a few years, Dalmiya returned this March, creating history. And Dutt believes, Dalmiya’s death will create a huge void. “Only he could clean up the muck. After dethroning N Srinivasan, he was trying to improve things. But now, BCCI doesn’t have any experienced member who can lead the Board,” he stated.