Inderjit Singh Bindra, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 84, leaves behind a legacy that significantly shaped the landscape of Indian cricket. As a former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), Bindra's contributions were instrumental in transforming Indian cricket into a global commercial powerhouse.

One of Bindra's most notable achievements was bringing the Cricket World Cup to India for the first time. Partnering with Jagmohan Dalmiya and NKP Salve, Bindra played a key role in co-organizing the 1987 Reliance Cup in the Indian subcontinent. This marked the first time the global event was held outside of England and opened up new avenues for the commercial expansion of cricket in India.

Bindra's vision extended beyond just hosting tournaments. During his tenure as BCCI president from 1993 to 1996, he revolutionized cricket broadcasting in India. In 1994, Bindra challenged the monopoly of the state-run broadcaster Doordarshan by taking the matter to the Supreme Court. The court's favorable verdict paved the way for global sports networks like ESPN and Star Sports to enter the Indian market, leading to a massive increase in the sport's valuation. Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI vice-president, acknowledged Bindra's visionary leadership in bringing revenue to the BCCI through the sale of broadcast rights.

Furthermore, Bindra's influence extended to infrastructure development. As the President of the Punjab Cricket Association from 1978 to 2014, he transformed a local ground into the world-class PCA Stadium in Mohali. Recognizing his contribution, the stadium was renamed the I.S. Bindra Stadium in 2015. His leadership transformed Punjab into a major center for cricket stadium development throughout India.

Beyond his administrative roles, Bindra also served as the principal advisor of the International Cricket Council (ICC) when Sharad Pawar held the president's post. He retired from cricket administration in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of modernization and commercialization of Indian cricket.

The passing of I.S. Bindra has been met with widespread condolences from the cricketing fraternity. Jay Shah, the International Cricket Council chairman, expressed his condolences and recognized Bindra as a stalwart of Indian cricket administration whose legacy would inspire future generations. The Punjab Cricket Association also mourned his death, acknowledging his pivotal role in shaping the growth and governance of Indian cricket. Bindra's contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket, ensuring his place as one of the most influential administrators in the sport's history.