In what is being described as the start of a new innings, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, former India captain Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman joined the Board of Control for Cricket in India in a newly-constituted advisory panel to guide it in all matters related to the game.
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur took to micro-blogging site Twitter to announce the the induction of the three greats of Indian cricket, a move which was on cards for some time.
"I welcome & thank @sachin_rt Saurav Ganguly @VVSLaxman281 fr joining @BCCI.Privileged to hv yur guidance & support,as we start a new inning!," Thakur wrote on his Twitter page.
That the trio will be in a high-powered advisory panel was revealed by treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhary's tweet.
"Great to have @sachin_rt , @VVSLaxman281 and @SGanguly99 advising @BCCI on cricket. Their interest in youngsters shd bode well for cricket!"
The 42 year-old Tendulkar played a whopping 200 Tests (15,921 runs) and 463 ODIs (18,426 runs) apart from a T20 International before retiring in 2013.
The 43-year-old Ganguly played in 113 Tests and 311 ODIs for India apart from leading the country to the final of 2003 World Cup. The 40-year-old Laxman played in 134 Tests and 86 ODIs.
It has been learned from reliable sources that Thakur and president Jagmohan Dalmiya will consult with the panel on all major cricketing decisions.
While there was lot of speculation of late regarding Ganguly's appointment as Chief Coach or Team Director, his appointment in the advisory panel might means that either Ravi Shastri will continue in his current role or a new Chief Coach and support staff will be taking charge.
According to BCCI sources, Indian cricketers can seek technical advice from the trio and the Board wants batsmen to specifically speak to Tendulkar before any tough international assignment.
Ganguly might well be consulted for preparing a blueprint for success of the team overseas with Laxman working on the bench-strength and the new talent coming in through the system.
The Indian team will leave for its tour of Bangladesh from Kolkata on June 7.
