Old hand gets the reins

For the many who have followed the month-long sequence of events surrounding the BCCI elections, Ranbir Singh Mahendra was a new name. So wh...

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For the many who have followed the month-long sequence of events surrounding the BCCI elections, Ranbir Singh Mahendra was a new name. So who really is he? Where did he come from? And what are his cricketing credentials?

For many, he is former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal’s son. To others — both in public life and cricketing circles — he is ‘Chaudhary Saheb’. His simplicity and administrative skills have often come for praise from people — despite some people being intimidated by him because of the Bansi Lal connection — who have known him and worked under him for over three decades.

Having served the BCCI as joint secretary (1980-85), secretary (1985-90), member of the financial committee and vice-president of the National Cricket Academy, Mahendra is evidently well-versed with his cricket and not just a yes-man to Dalmiya. He was also manager of the Indian team during the 1990-91 tour of Australia.

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When Kapil Dev took him on in 1998 over the issue of transparency in the Haryana Cricket Association, Chaudhary Saheb played cool and never once made a counter-charge. But his methods were evident from the way Kapil had to beat a retreat when he could not replace Mahendra despite support from various powerful quarters.

Several former Haryana cricketers vouch for his administrative acumen and discipline. ‘‘He never took credit for our team’s victory in the Ranji final against Mumbai in 1991. ‘You have all played well and you deserve all the credit’, he would say,’’ recalls former India stumper Vijay Yadav when contacted.

Rajinder Goel, the left-arm spinner who holds the Ranji record for most wickets, speaks of Chaudhary as an ‘‘honest and capable administrator’’.

Amarjeet Kaypee, another Haryana cricketer, also has good words for Chaudhary: ‘‘He has done so much for Haryana. I am sure he’ll be successful with the Board as well.’’

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So, though he is a new face in the consciousness of the Indian cricketing public, he is clearly no greenhorn. He’s been there. Done that. And is quite capable of doing it all again.