Roger Binny’s love for farming ‘bowls over’ many

• BCCI Chief buys tractor at Ch’nagar showroom
• He has been into agriculture at his 36 acres land near Bandipur from the last 25 years

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny has added a new vehicle to his fleet. No, not a swanky car, but a tractor for agriculture purpose, as the former cricketer owns 36 acres of land in the fringes of Bandipur forest in Gundlupet taluk.

Binny was the cynosure of all eyes as was handed over the keys of Mahindra Tractor at Eshwari Tractor Showroom on Chamarajanagar-Nanjangud Road on Friday.

Arvind Pandey, Deputy General Manager (Sales), Karnataka State Head, Mahindra Tractors, along with the partners of the showroom hosted the VIP guest and also held discussions.

Binny also drove the tractor much to the excitement of his fans, who had turned up in large numbers after hearing about the former member of 1983 World Cup winning Indian cricket squad, in the town.

The youths, who were eager to take the autograph of Binny on their cricket bats, also took photos with the living legend of cricket of yesteryears. Binny reciprocated with his usual smile, obliging for the photos with the partners of tractor showroom, staff, general public and also media persons.

Speaking to media, Binny said, “I own 36 acres land near Bandipur. My ancestors were not into farming, but I have a deep interest for farming which I have been doing for the last 25 years.”

Allaying fears that Indian Premier League (IPL) matches will affect One Day International (ODI) matches, Binny said, “T-20, One Day and Test cricket are of different formats. Never we should ignore Test matches as it is the future of cricket. While IPL matches are played for the sake of entertainment of the viewers.”

Mahindra Tractors’ Maulik Thakkar, Santosh Dugani and Shankar Srinivas, partners of Tractor Showroom Ashok and G. Prashanth, leaders Arakalavadi Mahesh, Shamitkumar, Ashok, Mahesh, Somashekar, Rajesh, Shivaraj and others were present.

Minute error in selecting the Test squad

Binny, who replied to a question on India losing to Australia in 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final, pointed out  that “There was a minute error while selecting the Test squad. Or else we would have won the match. When we play the game in a different environment, it is difficult to understand the pitch. While playing against Aussies in the final, we couldn’t play well on the first day. Be it any format of cricket — T-20, ODI or Test — the players should be ready to adapt to changes. It’s only then they will emerge as best players. But, there is no need for practice as we play throughout the year.”