Terming former India captain Sourav Ganguly as "very very special", batting great VVS Laxman on Friday urged the newly-elected BCCI president to revive the National Cricket Academy (NCA) so that the Indian team's bench strength continues to remain strong.
Laxman and Ganguly's first captain, Mohammed Azharuddin, were special invitees as the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) felicitated Ganguly who took over as the 39th BCCI President in Mumbai on Wednesday.
"If you ask me one thing, it would be how Sourav can revive the NCA," Laxman said while speaking on the stage flanked by Ganguly and Azhar.
"The greatness of this Indian team is their bench strength. You look at this South Africa side and it is the most depleted I have seen. This is because their domestic structure is not strong. The reason why the Indian team is doing well is because the domestic structure is so good. Through the NCA, you can produce future champions for a long period of time. Whenever rotation is required, you can come and replace established players," Laxman said.
Azhar said that he would look forward to Ganguly leading the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) like he had led the Indian cricket team.
"Whatever he has achieved as a captain and player, I want him to do that as BCCI President. He has taken difficult and bold decisions. I want him to achieve lot more than what he has achieved on the cricketing field and take the game to greater heights."
Speaking about Ganguly, Laxman further termed him as a "very very special" captain.
"It is a great honour that my colleague is BCCI President. Ajju bhai (Azhar) is my idol and now he is HCA (Hyderabad Cricket Association) President.
"Since his debut at Lord's, he did not look back. Sourav the cricketer is special, but for me Sourav the captain is very very special," Laxman said.
"The way he revived the fortunes of the Indian cricket team, gave them security, Indian cricket did not look back since then. A leader becomes inspiring when he leads by example," Laxman said.
Laxman narrated a story when Ganguly was the CAB joint secretary in 2014, underlining how he had to shed his star image to get into administration.
"I came here as batting consultant, and Sourav was joint secretary at that time. When I entered his room, his small room shocked me. He is the most successful captain of Indian cricket. It surprised and inspired me. You forget that you are a legend of world cricket, you are a prince of Kolkata and a blue eyed boy. He was fulfilling the role of joint secretary."
Laxman, who is the batting consultant in CAB's Vision 2020 programme, further said that Ganguly is very passionate about cricketers and excels at whatever he does.
"There were times when Bengal cricket was not doing well and Sourav texted me late at night what can be done. Recently during the World Cup, me him and Viru (Virender Sehwag) went out for a meal in Birmingham and then again I realised how much he loves the game of cricket. He excels in everything he does. Everyone wants a piece of him."
Ganguly termed Laxman as his lifesaver for his epic knock of 281 at Eden Gardens in 2001.
"Lifesaver of Indian cricket is VVS. His 281 changed Indian cricket and my life as a captain. I call VVS my lifesaver. He is one of the best persons you will meet."
