Happy B'day Dada

Birthdays don't mean a great deal for Sourav Ganguly, but this one (his 37th) could well turn out to be memorable. For, it is today that he makes an entry into cricket administration as part of the Indian cricket board's technical committee headed by Sunil Gavaskar, who celebrates a landmark 60th birthday on Friday.

This is Ganguly's first birthday after retiring from international cricket. He has still not put a full stop on his first-class career though and could play the East Zone one-dayers for Bengal.

"I'm looking forward to be wished by Gavaskar. He is aware it's my birthday, especially because it is two days before his," said Ganguly at his residence here yesterday.

The former India captain said he was thrilled to be part of the technical committee, which decides on key cricketing issues for Indian cricket. "It's an honour and I will do anything which helps in the development of Indian cricket," he said.

Ganguly's will be an influential voice on cricketing matters. The committee will not only benefit from his playing experience but also someone who knows what modern cricket is all about. "I will speak my mind if I am asked for an opinion," he said.

The birthday celebrations will be on hold till he returns to Kolkata in the evening.