Calcutta: Prabir Mukherjee was a man of principles, maintained Sourav Ganguly, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president. "Prabir da never accepted my requests, even when I was the India captain," he recalled, during a condolence meeting for the veteran curator, here on Tuesday.

"I played six Test matches as India captain at the Eden. And Prabir da was the curator every time. I used to always ask for a spin-friendly wicket, but every time he replied - you have to play on whatever wicket you get."

"He had done a lot for Bengal cricket. He passed away nearly a month back. Now, I think we need to talk about the good things he had done for us. As long as CAB is there, Prabir da will be remembered," said Sourav.

Suburban Club, where Mukherjee served as a secretary, organised the condolence meeting at the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club. Sourav and other CAB officials were present. Mukherjee, the 86-year-old curator passed away on May 31. As per his wish, Mukherjee's body was not taken to the CAB premises after he died. Despite having served it for decades, not once was Mukherjee seen in the vicinity of the Eden after the India-South Africa T20I was washed out on October 8.

On Tuesday, Mukherjee's daughter-in-law, Mohua, said: "He served the CAB for so long, but his last experience with the association was not very good."

Sourav, however, did not want to be drawn into any controversy. "I knew him since I was 17. I had excellent relations with him. Prabir da did what he loved for 84 years... I would have loved to bat for India till I was 84, but that is not possible."