The new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India is a former Carlisle club professional.
Roger Binny played for the Edenside club in 1982 and was instrumental in Carlisle winning the North Lancashire League title.
The following season he played a key role in India’s triumph at the 50-over World Cup in England.
News of his elevation to India’s top job in cricket has stirred memories for many of his former team-mates in Carlisle.
A natural athlete, Binny could have had a career in hockey, football or athletics but settled on cricket with outstanding results.
He was actually an Indian Test player when he joined Carlisle in 1982, having made his international debut against Pakistan in 1979.
Chris Packham, a club-mate in 1982, said: “Roger was just a superb bloke, immensely popular during his season at the club.
“He settled in really well, staying on Wigton Road for a while before his wife ands children joined him towards the end of the season.
“I remember the following year when he toured with India for the World Cup he provided the club with 20 tickets for the semi-final against England.
“He made his name in that tournament because he was India’s leading wicket-taker and helped them win the World Cup.”
A regular team-mate was David Musgrave who said: “Roger was a top, top player and I’m sure would be one of the best professionals ever to play club cricket in Cumbria.
“A top batsman he was also a very good bowler and he was certainly the man who got us to the title that year. Above all he was a gentleman and a great bloke, remembered with much affection by the Carlisle club.
“I remember he came back when we opened the Jimmy Little pavilion and it was great to meet up again.”
In the 1983 triumphant World Cup campaign Binny took 18 wickets, more than anyone else and troubling the best with his swing and unorthodox action.
He played 27 Tests, 72 one-day internationals, and in all first-class cricket averaged 34 with the bat and took 205 wickets.
In its 94-year history, the BCCI has had only two other Test players as full-time presidents – Binny’s immediate predecessor Sourav Ganguly, and the Maharajkumar of Vizianagaram (1954-56).
