Kolkata: Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara will give the annual Jagmohan Dalmiya Memorial Lecture this year. The dates are not yet finalised but according to sources in the Cricket Association of Bengal, the Memorial Lecture will take place during the first test match between India and Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens from November 16.
“We have not yet finalised the dates for the Memorial Lecture. We will meet the members and finalise the dates in the next 10 days. Sangakkara is one of the shortlisted candidates for the event,” said Abhishek Dalmiya, the joint secretary of the association.
The former Sri Lankan captain recently called it a day on his first class career with Surrey last month. He is likely to be a part of the commentary team for Star Sports.
It was reported by xtratime.in dated September 08 that Sangakkara was invited by the CAB President Sourav Ganguly. According to Ganguly, “I have spoken to him (Sangakkara) for the Lecture and we will finalise the date soon.”
It is very likely that the Dalmiya Memorial Lecture will take place prior to the test match. The annual Jagmohan Dalmiya Lecture is much like the one which BCCI organises. The Board of Control for Cricket in India hosts the MAK Pataudi Memorial Lecture every year.
The late Mr Dalmiya was the longest serving CAB president, who died on September 20, 2015.
Last year too, prior to the India-New Zealand Test in September-October, the CAB had planned to stage the lecture. But it could not take place, as it coincided with the BCCI special general meeting which kept all state associations busy.
The CAB later planned in January this year ahead of the India-England third ODI but had to put off at the last moment with Supreme Court sacking then Board President Anurag Thakur.