Daijiworld Media Network - Mohali
Mohali, Jan 26: Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Inderjit Singh Bindra, widely regarded as one of the architects of modern cricket administration and marketing in India, passed away on Sunday. He was 84 and is survived by a son and a daughter.
Bindra served as BCCI president from 1993 to 1996 and had a long association with the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), where he held the post of president from 1978 to 2014. In recognition of his immense contribution to cricket administration, the PCA stadium in Mohali was renamed IS Bindra Stadium in 2015.
International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah paid tribute to Bindra, describing him as a stalwart of Indian cricket administration. “Deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. IS Bindra, former BCCI president and a stalwart of Indian cricket administration. May his legacy inspire future generations. Om Shanti,” Shah wrote on social media.
Bindra’s association with cricket administration began in 1975, but he is best remembered for his key role in organising the 1987 Cricket World Cup, then known as the Reliance Cup. The tournament marked a historic shift as it was the first World Cup to be hosted outside England, following the earlier editions in 1975, 1979 and 1983.
Alongside his close associate Jagmohan Dalmiya and then BCCI chief NKP Salve, Bindra played a decisive role in transforming the commercial landscape of Indian cricket. Their efforts opened up the Indian television market and ushered in a new era of cricket broadcasting and marketing.
In 1994, Bindra approached the Supreme Court to challenge Doordarshan’s monopoly over cricket broadcasting. A favourable verdict paved the way for global broadcasters such as ESPN and TWI to enter the Indian market, which would eventually become the most lucrative in world cricket.
After retiring from cricket administration in 2014, Bindra served as principal advisor to the ICC during Sharad Pawar’s tenure as president. While his career was marked by several landmark achievements, it was not without controversy. His support for Lalit Modi during the IPL spot-fixing episode and his role in the appointment of Haroon Lorgat as Cricket South Africa CEO drew criticism in certain quarters.
Despite the controversies, Bindra’s contribution to shaping Indian cricket from a commercial and administrative perspective remains widely acknowledged, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the sport.