Roger Binny redefines his all-rounder status

World Cup hero, captain, selector, administrator... He has essayed every role with aplombBENGALURU: If you want a peek into the simple life Roger Michael Humphrey Binny leads, all you have to do is take a mid-afternoon metro ride on the purple line to MG Road in Bengaluru. Until last week, it was a common sight to find the 67-year-old among passengers who got off at the Cubbon Park metro station. From there, it used to be a short walk to the M Chinnaswamy stadium, from where he discharged his duties as the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association.

Asked once about using public transport, the newly appointed president of the BCCI had remarked, "It is not a question of luxury or status, but a matter of convenience for me." That's Binny in a nutshell - practical, affable and unassuming. A domestic warhorse who plied his wares for Karnataka and later Goa for almost 16 seasons in a career spanning 136 First-Class and 113 List A matches, he is better known as the 1983 World Cup hero, finishing as the highest wicket-taker (18 wickets). But there is more to the all-rounder than just his exploits on the field.

Read AlsoRoger Binny replaces Sourav Ganguly as BCCI president

World Cup winner Roger Binny was on Tuesday elected as the 36th president of the BCCI, taking over from Sourav Ganguly to run the world's richest cricket board.

He's a player, coach, mentor, selector and seasoned administrator, who has often flown under the radar. Decorated but not celebrated. Born in an Anglo-Indian family with six brothers, Binny grew up in the cantonment area of Benson Town, also known as the champion town for being home to many sporting stalwarts of the city. A champion athlete specialising in javelin throw, discus throw, high