Jagmohan Dalmiya is truly known as "India's Kerry Packer."Explain.

Jagmohan Dalmiya was popularly known as an Indian cricket administrator and businessman. He served several prestigious posts like the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India as well as the Cricket Association of Bengal. He also served as the President of the International Cricket Council. His tireless efforts made India a cricket powerhouse of today with his notable contributions to the world of cricket.

Kerry Packer

Jagmohan Dalmiya was often compared with Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer who was an Australian media tycoon, and the most powerful media proprietor of the 20th century. He was best known for the foundation of World Series Cricket, funding of the World Rugby Corporation.

Dalmia’s contribution

• His efforts along with those of IS Bindra, that India and Pakistan got the golden opportunity to co-host the Reliance World Cup in 1987. Previously England had played host to the event in its first three editions i.e. 1975, 1979, and 1983.
• In 1993, he put his strong foot forward against state-owned Doordarshan and demanded that the broadcaster has to pay for TV rights to telecast the matches. The revenue so earned went to BCCI. Fortunately, the time coincided with India’s Cable TV revolution and thus the sequence of events ensured continuous cash flow to BCCI. The idea completely changed the way cricket was showcased by media and perceived by the public.
• He ended the duopoly of England and Australia to head the body by becoming its President. This brought India to the center-stage of world cricket.

Comment

Despite several controversies in the later years of cricket related field, he will always be remembered for his contribution to cricket and be known as “India’s Kerry Packer.”

Topics: GS-IV: Ethics and Human Interface