Jagmohan Dalmiya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jagmohan Dalmiya
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| 26th President of Board of Control for Cricket in India | |
| In office 2 March 2015 – 20 September 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Shivlal Yadav |
| Succeeded by | Shashank Manohar |
| In office 2013–2013 |
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| Preceded by | N. Srinivasan |
| Succeeded by | Shivlal Yadav |
| In office 2001–2004 |
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| Preceded by | A. C. Muthiah |
| Succeeded by | Ranbir Singh Mahendra |
| 14th President of the Cricket Association of Bengal | |
| In office 1992 – 27 December 2006 |
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| Preceded by | B. N. Dutt |
| Succeeded by | Prasun Mukherjee |
| In office 29 July 2008 – 20 September 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Prasun Mukherjee |
| Succeeded by | Sourav Ganguly |
| 3rd President of International Cricket Council | |
| In office 1997–2000 |
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| Preceded by | Clyde Walcott |
| Succeeded by | Malcolm Gray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 May 1940 Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present day Kolkata, West Bengal, India) |
| Died | 20 September 2015 (aged 75) Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Spouse | Chandralekha Dalmiya |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Co-owner of M. L. Dalmiya & Co. |
Jagmohan Dalmiya (born 30 May 1940 – died 20 September 2015) was a famous Indian cricket leader and businessman from Kolkata. He was the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He also led the Cricket Association of Bengal. Dalmiya was also the President of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He played a big role in making cricket popular and successful around the world.
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Early Life and Family
Jagmohan Dalmiya was born in a Marwari family in Kolkata. His family originally came from Rajasthan. His father, Arjun Prasad Dalmiya, was a businessman in Kolkata. Jagmohan studied at the Scottish Church College, Calcutta.
When he was young, Dalmiya played cricket as a wicketkeeper. He also opened the batting for top cricket clubs in Calcutta. After his father passed away, Jagmohan took over the family business, ML Dalmiya and Co., at just 19 years old. His company even built the Birla Planetarium in Kolkata in 1963.
Dalmiya was married to Chandralekha Dalmiya. They had a son and a daughter. His son, Avishek, later followed in his father's footsteps in both business and cricket administration.
Cricket Leadership Journey
Jagmohan Dalmiya joined the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 1979. He became its treasurer in 1983. He helped change how cricket was managed and how much money it made.
Bringing the World Cup to India
In 1983, Dalmiya had a big idea. He suggested that India and its neighboring countries should host the 1987 Cricket World Cup. Before this, all World Cups were held in England. Many people, especially in England, were against this idea.
However, Dalmiya worked hard to get support from other cricket nations. In 1984, his idea won by a large number of votes at the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 1987 Cricket World Cup was the first time the tournament was held outside England. This decision opened the door for different countries to host the World Cup in the future. Dalmiya made sure the final match was played at the famous Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Helping South Africa Return to Cricket
Dalmiya also played a key role in bringing South Africa back to international cricket. South Africa had been banned from international sports since 1970 because of its apartheid policies. In 1991, Dalmiya suggested that South Africa should be allowed to play cricket again.
He helped arrange a three-match series between South Africa and India in 1991. This was South Africa's first international cricket match in over 20 years. It was a very important moment, marking the end of their sports ban.
Making Cricket Richer
In 1993, Dalmiya fought a legal case against the TV channel Doordarshan. He wanted cricket matches to be sold to TV channels for money. Before this, TV channels didn't pay for the rights to show matches.
In 1995, the Supreme Court of India agreed with Dalmiya. They said that the BCCI owned the rights to show matches and could sell them to the highest bidder. This decision helped the BCCI earn a lot more money. It made Indian cricket much stronger in the world of sports.
Leading the ICC
In 1997, Jagmohan Dalmiya was chosen as the President of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He was the first person from Asia and the first non-cricketer to hold this important position. He served as ICC President for three years.
During his time as ICC President, Dalmiya helped Bangladesh get "Test status." This meant Bangladesh could play the longest and most important form of cricket. He also helped Bangladesh host the first-ever 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998.
Dalmiya made big changes at the ICC. He helped the ICC earn much more money. When he became president in 1997, the ICC had only about £16,000. By the time his term ended in 2000, it had over $15 million! He made sure that profits from the World Cup went to the ICC, making the organization more powerful. Since 1999, the World Cup has been officially called the "ICC World Cup."
Return to BCCI Presidency
After his time at the ICC, Dalmiya was elected President of the BCCI for the first time in 2001. He helped start contracts for Indian team players. He also began giving pensions to former cricketers and umpires in 2003.
In 2005, there were some disagreements, and Dalmiya faced challenges. However, in 2007, the Supreme Court cleared him of any wrongdoing.
In 2013, Dalmiya was appointed as the temporary president of the BCCI. This happened when the regular president, N. Srinivasan, stepped aside for a short time. On 2 March 2015, Dalmiya became the BCCI President again after a 10-year break.
Awards and Recognition
Jagmohan Dalmiya was highly respected in the world of sports. In 1996, the BBC called him one of the top six sports executives in the world. In 2005, he received an award for his excellent work in leading global sports.
Many people in the media said that Dalmiya was the person who made cricket a huge commercial success. He was credited with making the BCCI the richest cricket board in the world. He also helped break the control that Australia and England had over the ICC. He made sure that countries from the Indian subcontinent had a strong voice in international cricket.
He was sometimes called the "Machiavelli of Indian cricket" or the "king of comebacks" by the media. This showed how clever and determined he was in his work.
Australian cricketer and commentator Ian Chappell once said about Dalmiya: "He has a vision for the game’s progress that I haven’t heard explained by any other so-called leader among cricket officials."
Later Life and Passing
Jagmohan Dalmiya started his second term as BCCI president in March 2015. However, his health was not good. On 17 September 2015, he had a serious heart attack and was taken to a hospital in Kolkata.
He passed away on 20 September 2015. The cause of his death was reported to be bleeding in his stomach and organ failure.
After his death, Dalmiya's eyes were donated to an eye bank in Kolkata. On 21 September 2015, his body was taken to the Cricket Association of Bengal office at the Eden Gardens. Many important people, including former India captain Sourav Ganguly, came to pay their respects.
Leaders like the President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee sent their condolences. Many current and former cricketers, as well as cricket boards from around the world, also shared their sadness.
