Indian cricket is mourning the loss of one of its most transformative figures, Inderjit Singh Bindra, former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who passed away on Sunday at the age of 84. Bindra’s demise marks the end of an era for an administrator whose visionary leadership fundamentally reshaped the commercial landscape of the sport in India and, by extension, globally. His passing prompted heartfelt tributes, including from International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah, who hailed him as ‘a stalwart of Indian cricket administration’.

Bindra is survived by a son and daughter, leaving behind a monumental legacy that continues to influence the sport today. From his early days as an official in 1975 to his retirement from active administration in 2014, Bindra’s journey was characterized by audacious decisions and an unyielding commitment to propelling Indian cricket onto the international stage, particularly from a commercial standpoint.

The Marketing Maestro: Revolutionizing Cricket Broadcasting

Perhaps Bindra’s most enduring legacy lies in his pioneering efforts to commercialize cricket in India, fundamentally altering how the sport was consumed and funded. He is best remembered for his instrumental role in organizing the 1987 World Cup, then known as the Reliance Cup, which marked a seismic shift in global cricket. For the first time, the sport’s showpiece event moved beyond England’s shores, having been hosted there exclusively for its 1975, 1979, and 1983 editions.

This ‘coup’, orchestrated alongside his close friend, the late Jagmohan Dalmiya, and then BCCI chief NKP Salve, was more than just a logistical feat. It was a powerful statement of intent, signaling India’s burgeoning influence in the cricketing world. More significantly, it ‘opened the Indian television market to the new possibilities of cricket marketing’. Before 1987, the commercial potential of cricket in India was largely untapped, constrained by traditional approaches to broadcasting and sponsorship.

However, Bindra’s most audacious and impactful move came in 1994 when he approached the Supreme Court of India. His objective: to break the monopolistic hold of Doordarshan, the state broadcaster, on cricket broadcasting. This legal battle was a watershed moment. A favourable verdict from the apex court shattered the existing paradigm, paving the way for private broadcasters and global sports networks to enter the Indian market. Bindra and his team seized this opportunity, bringing in international giants like ESPN and TWI (Trans World International).

This move was nothing short of revolutionary. It injected unprecedented capital into Indian cricket, dramatically improved broadcast quality, and expanded the sport’s reach exponentially. The subsequent years saw the Indian market ‘expanded to be the biggest in the world’, laying the crucial groundwork for the commercial behemoth that Indian cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), would become. Without Bindra’s foresight and courage to challenge the status quo, the financial might and global dominance of Indian cricket today might look very different.

A Legacy of Administration: From PCA to ICC

Bindra’s administrative career was extensive and multi-faceted, demonstrating a deep and lasting commitment to the sport at various levels. He served as the BCCI President from 1993 to 1996, a critical period during which Indian cricket was grappling with its growing international profile and the nascent stages of commercialization that he himself had championed. His presidency was marked by a continued push towards modernizing the board’s operations and securing its financial future.

Prior to his national role, and indeed for decades alongside it, Bindra was a colossal figure in regional cricket. He was the President of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) from 1978 to 2014, an extraordinary tenure spanning 36 years. His dedication to cricket in Punjab was recognized in 2015 when the PCA stadium was rightfully renamed as the IS Bindra Stadium, a fitting ‘tribute to his inspiring work as an administrator’. This long service at the state level underscores his grassroots commitment and understanding of the foundational elements required for cricket’s growth.

Even after his BCCI presidency, Bindra’s expertise remained in demand. He served as the principal advisor of the International Cricket Council (ICC) when Sharad Pawar held the president’s post. This role allowed him to lend his commercial acumen and administrative experience to global cricket governance, further cementing his influence on the sport’s trajectory.

Navigating Controversies: The Administrator’s Path

While Bindra’s career was largely defined by groundbreaking successes, it was not without its challenging moments. The article acknowledges that ‘his official life was not without its share of bitter moments’. Notably, ‘the support he gave to Lalit Modi after the spot-fixing saga in the IPL earned him his share of brickbats’. This highlights the complex political landscape of cricket administration, where alliances and decisions, particularly during turbulent times, can draw significant criticism. Modi’s tenure and subsequent controversies were a testing period for Indian cricket, and Bindra’s stance on the matter became a point of contention.

Additionally, Bindra ‘played a pivotal role in the appointment of Haroon Lorgat as the Cricket South Africa CEO, and that move too did not win him many friends’. These instances underscore the difficult decisions administrators often face, where actions, even if perceived to be for the greater good, can spark dissent and create adversaries within the sport’s intricate power structures. Such moments, though challenging, are often part and parcel of a long and impactful career at the highest echelons of sports administration.

Bindra’s Enduring Impact: Architect of Modern Cricket

Despite the controversies, the consensus remains clear: ‘overall, Bindra remained one of the architects of modern Indian cricket from a commercial perspective’. His vision transformed Indian cricket from a sport largely reliant on gate receipts and minimal sponsorship into a global commercial powerhouse. He understood that unlocking the financial potential of cricket was key to its sustainable growth, allowing for better infrastructure, player development, and broader outreach.

His work on broadcasting rights not only enriched the BCCI but also empowered state associations and players, creating a more professional ecosystem. The massive viewership and revenue streams generated by cricket in India today are direct descendants of the seeds sown by Bindra’s pioneering efforts in the 1980s and 1990s. He effectively proved that cricket was not just a game, but a commercially viable enterprise with immense potential.

As Jay Shah aptly put it, ‘May his legacy inspire future generations.’ Indeed, Inderjit Singh Bindra’s life was a testament to the power of vision, administrative prowess, and a relentless pursuit of progress. He not only dreamed of a commercially robust Indian cricket but actively built the foundations for it, ensuring that his influence would resonate for decades to come. His contributions undoubtedly played a critical role in India’s current standing as the financial engine of world cricket. Om Shanti.

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