Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly gets ‘Z category’ security cover from Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government

The West Bengal government has decided to upgrade the security cover of former Indian cricket team captain and former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sourav Ganguly to ‘Z’ category, a senior official said. The decision was taken on Tuesday after the Y-category security provided to Ganguly expired.

“After the end of VVIP security, a review was done as per protocol and it was decided to upgrade Ganguly’s security to Z category,” he said.

The official said that under the new security arrangements, the former cricketer will be guarded by eight to 10 policemen. Under ‘Y category’ security cover, Ganguly used to have three policemen from the Special Branch under his cover and an equal number of law enforcers guarding his makeshift residence.

On Tuesday, representatives of the state secretariat reached Ganguly’s Behala office, where they held a meeting with officials from Kolkata Police Headquarters Lalbazar and the local police station.

“Ganguly is currently traveling with his team Delhi Daredevils and will return to Kolkata on May 21. From that day onwards, he will start getting Z-category security,” the official said.

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Governor CV Anand Bose and Trinamool Congress MP and National Secretary Abhishek Banerjee get Z-plus security, while ministers like Firhad Hakim and Moloy Ghatak have been provided with Z-category security. BJP’s West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar is also provided with Z plus security cover along with CISF security.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly’s security to be upgraded to Z category by West Bengal government, say officials

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/CXwSdqflFp– ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2023

Ganguly is currently serving as the ‘Director of Cricket’ for the Delhi Capitals team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. DC are getting ready to take on the Punjab Kings in match numbers. The 64th of IPL 2023 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, speaking on Delhi Capitals’ podcast, head coach Ricky Ponting touched upon his rivalry with Ganguly, saying that Steve Waugh and the former India skipper’s rivalry had a higher edge. The 50-year-old captained India in the early 2000s and has faced Ponting on several occasions in international cricket.

“When you talk about rivalries, he was a big rival, Steve Waugh was the captain. He had a slight edge compared to Sourav and me. We played against each other a lot, we captained each other in the World Cup final.

“We get along really well because we can see the bigger picture for this franchise, and what we need to do together to guarantee success for DC. Even if we’re not best partners, when you’re on a team When you’re working, you have to come together and focus on one direction. Leave the past behind, what’s gone is gone,” Ponting said.