As the mild-mannered and gentle medium pacer, Roger Michael Humphrey Binny celebrates his 70th birthday today, let’s take a look at why the world of cricket and his countless fans across the country admire him for the all-round gentleman that he is. Of his cricketing prowess, there is a huge body of work — batting, bowling, fielding, and general presence on the ground — on display for the past several years, as a player, coach, motivational speaker, trying to give back to society.
As he steps out of the active cricketing arena, demitting the office of the President of BCCI, fans fondly remember his cricketing feats with the ball and the bat, and recall his contribution in winning the 1983 World Cup for the first time for India. He became the highest wicket taker in the 1983 World Cup and followed it up with his similar stellar feat with the ball in Australia two years later with a similarly unmatched contribution. Ever since he thought of being a cricket to the moment he became the BCCI President on October 18, 2022, his journey is one of total commitment, drive and determination to excel in everything he did.
As a coach, he guided the India U-19 team led by Mohammad Kaif to a World Cup victory in 2000, and handled precious talents like Yuvaraj Singh who was in the playing eleven in the tournament. That he followed his captain Sourav Ganguly as the BCCI president is a testimony to his abilities as a player, thinker, strategist to take the religion of cricket higher, and higher in India.
Roger Binny has also served domestic cricket in various roles, coaching the Bengal and Karnataka teams in the Ranji Trophy. His experience in selection and cricket administration began in 2012 when he became a member of the national team selection committee. But the gentleman that he is, he stepped down from the office in 2015 due to a conflict of interest issue, as his son Stuart Binny as a member of the Indian cricket team.
His elevation as the BCCI President, unopposed, is a testament to this all-around acceptability, as a player, as a coach, and as an administrator, and above all, his qualities as a leader. Here are some highlights from his remarkable journey:
- Roger Binny is the 26th BCCI President
- President of Karnataka State Cricket Association – from 2019 to 2022
- Member of 1983 Cricket World Cup and World Championship in 1985 and highest wicket taker in both the tournaments.
- Head coach of U-19 team that won the 2000 Under-19 Cricket World Cup
- A national selector
- He also worked as a developmental officer in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
- He was the BCCI President when the Indian team won the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025.
- Test Debut at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru against Pakistan in 1979.
- A former javelin thrower, he had a distinct and different bowling style.
- Binny proved to be a versatile allrounder, a dependable batter and a useful, and even a winning bowler.
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