Biswal is IPL boss

Created On: 30 Sept 2013 4:41 PM IST

Ranjib Biswal Is IPL Boss. A witness to some of India`s most memorable triumphs in recent years, long-serving team manager Ranjib Biswal was on Sunday appointed chairman of the IPL in the Cricket Board`s AGM here. Ranjib Biswal Appointed Chairman Of The IPL, Biswal Named New IPL Chief

Ranjib Biswal Is IPL Boss Chennai (PTI): A witness to some of India`s most memorable triumphs in recent years, long-serving team manager Ranjib Biswal was on Sunday appointed chairman of the IPL in the Cricket Board`s AGM here. Biswal has been with the Indian cricket team through some of its most memorable triumphs, including the 2011 50-over World Cup win at home.

Chief of the Odisha Cricket Association, Biswal`s appointment to replace Rajiv Shukla, who resigned at the end of his tenure, was made after a long deliberation at a city hotel. The decision to appoint the IPL chairman took the longest time in the Annual General Meeting, given that veteran Jagmohan Dalmiya`s name was doing the rounds before the AGM.

But Dalmiya`s age, 73, would have put him at a disadvantage in the demanding job. The 43-year-old Biswal, however, would be better-equipped to deal with the week-after-week city-hopping during the IPL. The former Odisha cricketer was a team selector when the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Team India to the first Twenty20 World Championships in 2007.

Often seen as a `lucky mascot` for the national cricket team, the BCCI, rattled by the IPL spot-fixing allegations, has now turned to Biswal to ensure players maintain discipline and abide by strict rules of behaviour during the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

The all-rounder has five first-class hundreds and 153 wickets in 41 matches and has also been the National Cricket Academy chief.