Power Trips and Ego Wars: The Mess Inside CAB

Imagine being a young, aspiring cricketer. You’ve poured your heart into a tournament, but you lose. Instead of a flight home, you’re told to board a bus as a punishment. That is the kind of leadership that has been simmering at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). It’s not about mentorship; it’s about control.

Now, the drama has shifted from the players to the officials. Madan Ghosh, the Joint Secretary, is back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. This time, he’s locked in a heated battle with Prosenjit Banerjee, the head of the Umpires Committee. It started over something seemingly small: who gets to pick the umpires for an Under-18 match. Prosenjit did his job and set the postings. Then, Ghosh stepped in, demanding specific umpires be appointed. When he found out the decisions were already made, he reportedly lost his temper. It didn’t stay a professional disagreement for long. Sources say Ghosh went full “boss mode,” threatening Prosenjit’s position for next year.

Is the CAB becoming a playground for egos?

This isn’t an isolated incident. If you look at the track record, a pattern emerges. Ghosh has been linked to cutting costs by removing third umpires from first-division cricket. He treats the association like a personal fiefdom. In this latest clash, Prosenjit reminded him that CAB officials aren’t salaried employees—they’re honorary. There is no “boss” and “subordinate” in that setup. The tension peaked when Ghosh allegedly told the Umpires Committee head to just get out of his office. While Ghosh denies the fight and claims he was just trying to keep a “biased” umpire off the field, the whispers inside the CAB corridors tell a different story.

The Atomic Answer: CAB Joint Secretary Madan Ghosh is accused of threatening Umpires Committee head Prosenjit Banerjee over match postings. This follows a history of controversial decisions by Ghosh. As he approaches the age of 70, officials are pushing for his exit to comply with Lodha committee administrative rules.

What’s actually happening here is simple: it’s a struggle between old-school authority and actual rules. The most interesting part? The clock is ticking. On May 21, Madan Ghosh turns 70. According to the Lodha rules, that’s the hard deadline for administrative roles. You’re out. There’s already talk of filing a formal request to President Sourav Ganguly to ensure Ghosh doesn’t overstay his welcome. If he tries to cling to power, legal battles are likely next. The CAB needs a fresh start, not more shouting matches in the office.