“Sourav Ganguly: Iconic Indian Cricketer, Former Captain, Mentor, and Influential Figure in Cricket’s Evolution and Administration.”
Born : 8 July 1972 (age 51)
Place : Behala, Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Nickname : Dada, Prince of Calcutta, Maharaj, Bengal Tiger
Height : 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Batting : Left-handed
Bowling: Right-arm medium
Role : Batsman
Relations:
Wife : Dona Ganguly (Married – 1997)
Daughter : Sana Ganguly
Brother : Snehasish Ganguly
About
Sourav Ganguly, affectionately known as Dada, is a renowned figure in Indian cricket. His leadership as captain of the national team left an indelible mark, guiding India to significant victories in tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and reaching the finals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup. His batting prowess reflects in his impressive ODI career, amassing 11,363 runs, standing among the top run-scorers globally.
Sourav Ganguly, holds the record for the highest individual score (183) by an Indian in the ODI Cricket World Cup. His achievements earned him accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2004. Beyond his playing days, he continued contributing to cricket, serving as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and being involved in significant investigations related to the sport.
Early and Personal life
Sourav Ganguly’s journey to cricket stardom began amidst a family background of prosperity and encouragement. Despite initial academic pressures and the family’s inclination towards academics over sports, his brother Snehasish’s support was pivotal in nurturing Ganguly’s cricket aspirations. Transitioning from his initial interest in football, Ganguly honed his cricket skills, even learning to bat left-handed to utilize his brother’s equipment. Their home became a training ground, with a dedicated indoor multi-gym and concrete wicket.
Sourav Ganguly’s admiration for cricketer David Gower shaped his style, and his talent soon shone through. However, his assertiveness on the field sometimes led to clashes with teammates over perceived arrogance. Despite such incidents, Ganguly’s prowess led to his selection for Bengal’s first-class cricket in 1989, marking the start of his cricketing career.
Playing Career
Ganguly believed that his legacy as a captain was that he was able to build a proper Indian team. We were able to change the face of Indian cricket. That’s what I’m proud of, because I think we made a huge difference. People used to think that we would simply roll over when playing out of India, but we changed the image.
His playing records to reflecting him as best career in every respects .
1990–96: Career beginning and debut success
Sourav Ganguly’s tumultuous start in international cricket saw a brief debut followed by a controversial exit due to alleged arrogance. Undeterred, he excelled in domestic cricket, earning a recall for India’s tour of England in 1996. His Test debut at Lord’s showcased his mettle, scoring a century, a rarity for debutants at the iconic ground.
Sourav Ganguly’s continued his stunning form, notching another century in the next Test at Trent Bridge, forming a remarkable partnership with Sachin Tendulkar. Despite his exceptional performances, the series ended in a draw, with England clinching victory, highlighting Ganguly’s impactful arrival on the international stage.
1997–99: Marriage, Opening in ODIs and World Cup ’99
Sourav Ganguly’s life off the field witnessed significant milestones, including his elopement with Dona Roy, causing friction between their families before a formal reconciliation and subsequent wedding in 1997. On the cricketing front, Ganguly’s prowess continued to shine. He marked his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka and earned consecutive man-of-the-match awards in the Sahara Cup, showcasing his bowling skills with a notable performance. His form peaked with three centuries in four Tests against Sri Lanka, forming formidable partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar.
The Independence Cup saw Ganguly’s brilliance as he led India to a successful chase, winning the Man of the Match title. Additionally, his remarkable 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup stands as a testament to his batting prowess, contributing to a record partnership with Rahul Dravid. Amidst his cricketing achievements, rumors about his alleged romantic involvement with actress Nagma surfaced, a claim Ganguly denied.
2000–05: Ascension to captaincy and accolades
Sourav Ganguly’s cricketing journey encompassed highs and controversies. His captaincy in 2000 saw initial success, but his county cricket stint in England garnered mixed reviews. Controversies emerged around his behavior, including arriving late for tosses and a notable incident where he celebrated a win by taking off his shirt at Lord’s in 2002. Amid personal milestones like the birth of his daughter Sana in 2001.
Sourav Ganguly led India to the 2003 World Cup final, exhibiting remarkable form but faced criticism for a dip in his individual performance post-World Cup. Disagreements during the 2004 Australia series and a subsequent decline in form led to his exclusion from the team in 2005. Despite challenges, he continued striving for a comeback, receiving the Padma Shri for his contributions to sports in 2004.
2006–07: Comeback and rift with Greg Chappell
Sourav Ganguly’s stint with coach Greg Chappell brought controversy with the coach expressing doubts about Ganguly’s fitness and leadership and sparking a media frenzy. Their strained relationship led to Ganguly’s removal as captain and exclusion from the team. However, due to team struggles and replacements’ poor performances, Ganguly was reinstated for the South Africa tour.
Ganguly’s comeback saw significant contributions, including a crucial 83 in a tour match and a pivotal 51 in Johannesburg. Ganguly securing India’s first Test win in South Africa. His impactful return to ODIs showcased with a match-winning 98 against Sri Lanka, followed by a successful run in subsequent series.
Ganguly’s performance in 2007 was exceptional, marked by a maiden double century against Pakistan and prolific runs in both Tests and ODIs, earning him recognition in the World Test XI by ESPNcricinfo.
2008–12: International retirement and IPL
Sourav Ganguly’s post-Indian team career saw him leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. His notable performance in the inaugural match and subsequent contributions solidified his role. Off the field, he was considered for administrative roles in cricket bodies.
Sourav Ganguly’s final Test series against Australia in 2008 showcased his brilliance, culminating in a farewell match where he played a pivotal role. Post-retirement, controversies brewed around his removal from KKR’s captaincy and his subsequent stint with Pune Warriors India. Ganguly transitioned to mentoring roles in cricket and announced his retirement from IPL in 2012, marking the end of his professional cricketing journey.
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