By BD Narayankar
Bengaluru, Jan 26 (.) He did not bat, bowl or field, yet Indian cricket would be poorer without his innings. Inderjit Singh Bindra belonged to that rare breed who understood that the game is won not only between the white lines but also in the quiet rooms where decisions shape destinies.
He came into Indian cricket administration at a time when ambition often exceeded preparation. What set him apart was a clarity of purpose that never wavered. While others reacted to circumstances, he anticipated them. He knew instinctively that passion without planning fades quickly, and that for India cricket to stand tall, it needed structure, strength and self-belief at every level.
Much of his finest work was done away from the spotlight, particularly in Punjab. Over a remarkable tenure spanning more than three decades, he transformed the state into a model of organisation and opportunity. Facilities were not afterthoughts but foundations. The stadium at Mohali was not just concrete and steel; it was a statement that India cricket could think big, build big and belong on the world stage. When it eventually bore his name, it felt less like an honour and more like a natural acknowledgement.
At the national level, his time at the helm of the BCCI coincided with a crucial phase in Indian cricket’s evolution. These were years when the game needed calm hands and clear thinking. He strengthened domestic structures, professionalised administration and ensured that India’s voice carried weight in international forums. Decisions were taken with tomorrow in mind, not merely the next series.
Perhaps his most telling contribution came when the subcontinent hosted the world. Bringing the World Cup to Indian shores changed perceptions forever. It announced that India cricket was ready not just to host, but to lead. By embracing the emerging power of television and broadcasting, he helped unlock economic possibilities that would redefine the sport. From that point on, Indian cricket was no longer following global trends; it was setting them.
Yet, for all the authority he carried, there was an ease in his dealings that players recognised instantly. He understood their anxieties, their ambitions and the fragile nature of a sporting career. Support did not always come in grand gestures; it came in quiet reassurance and firm guidance. That human touch is often overlooked in administration, but it is what makes leadership endure.
India cricket is rightly celebrated for its heroes with bat and ball. But every great performance rests on a foundation laid by those who never wore the jersey. I.S. Bindra was one such pillar. His legacy lives not in statistics, but in the confidence with which India cricket walks into any arena today, fully aware that it has earned its place.
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