Sourav Ganguly faces scrutiny as old interview on women’s role in cricket resurfaces online

Just as India was reveling in its biggest moment in women’s cricket, an old clip of Sourav Ganguly from 2013 began circulating online.

This is the same Sourav Ganguly who once captained Indian cricket and later advocated for women’s advancement as BCCI chief, but now he’s facing criticism for a remark he made years back. It’s odd how some words from the past can suddenly resonate more in today’s society.

Suman Das questions Sourav Ganguly about his daughter Sana’s cricket aspirations

This clip was broadcast on November 14, 2013, by the Bengali news channel ABP Ananda, including Sourav Ganguly in a panel discussion.

At one point during the segment, host Suman Das interrupted Ganguly to pose a question, “What would be your reaction if Sana [Sourav Ganguly’s daughter] expressed interest in becoming a cricketer?”

Sourav Ganguly replied, “I’ll tell her not to because women are not required to play cricket.” He delivered the statement in Bengali with a light tone, amid laughter from the panel.

What if Sana(his daughter) wishes to play cricket?

"I'll tell her not to because women are not required to play cricket." https://t.co/BouIb5Q9Hx pic.twitter.com/dBIAmRFM4z

— R (@CrimsonScalpel) November 3, 2025

As the host pressed further on Sana’s potential interest in cricket tying it to the ongoing talk about pressure on young players Ganguly clarified, “She is not interested in becoming a cricketer.” He added that during his Indian Premier League playing days, Sana frequently attended matches at the stadium, but her visits “gradually declined.”

Sourav Ganguly emphasized personal priorities, stating, “There is a difference between a boy and a girl. The interests are different. She does a lot of other stuff but academics is must for me.” The 30-second clip, which was first posted on ABP Ananda’s YouTube channel, has been widely circulated, gathering views through news embeds.

Sourav Ganguly’s 2013 interview resurfaces during India Women’s historic World Cup triumph

The interview took place as part of a larger tribute to Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar’s retirement from international cricket earlier that year. The panel, which included musicians and actors, discussed Tendulkar’s career highlights and the expectations surrounding his son, Arjun Tendulkar, who is starting out as a cricketer.

Sourav Ganguly was 41 at that time and had just retired from the IPL, compared the pressures Arjun faces to those of other athletes influenced by their families, especially considering his father’s impressive 24-year career with 100 international centuries.

The host then turned the conversation to Sana, changing the focus to gender issues, and pointed out that in 2013, women’s cricket in India was just beginning to gain traction, with the national team yet to play a home ODI series and funding significantly trailing that of the men’s team.

This discussion came back into focus after the 2025 victory, showing a remarkable 12-year journey from being on the sidelines to becoming global champions.

Social media outrage grows after Sourav Ganguly’s old video circulates on X

The video started to get attention on November 3, 2025, after it was shared by platforms like Free Press Journal and LatestLY on X. This led to a wave of criticism, with fans calling the comments “disgraceful,” especially considering Sourav Ganguly’s position as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022, a time when women’s cricket initiatives were pushed forward.

Conversations on Reddit in r/kolkata and r/Cricket showed disbelief over the remarks, pointing out the stark difference with the advancements in the sport.

On the flip side, Sourav Ganguly cheered for the Indian women’s cricket team after their win on X that day, sharing it with his 8.5 million followers, “What an achievement by the girls… They have come a long way in the last 6 yrs . So proud of them… world champions.”

Former captain Mithali Raj echoed progress on social media, telling fans: “when a dream is given wings, it truly can soar,” crediting BCCI Secretary Jay Shah’s vision for equal fees, Women’s Premier League, and domestic boosts since 2021. The examination brings to light the ongoing discussions about accountability in cricket management, even as the victory motivates a new generation.