Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, celebrates his 52nd birthday today. Known as the Prince of Kolkata and the God of Offside, Ganguly played a vital role in shaping a young Indian cricket team during a time when the sport was marred by match-fixing allegations. With players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and MS Dhoni, Ganguly ushered in a new era in Indian cricket.
Ganguly’s contribution to Indian cricket is undeniable. Over the course of his career, he played 424 matches for India, scoring a remarkable 18,575 runs. He served as a batsman, a captain, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and is currently the Director of Cricket for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
One of Ganguly’s standout qualities was his ability to hit clean off-side shots, earning him the title of the God of Offside. His batting style left fans spellbound throughout his two-decade-long career. In Test cricket, Ganguly played 113 matches, scoring 7,212 runs with 16 centuries and 35 half-centuries at an average of 42.17. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he represented India in 311 matches, scoring 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries.
As a captain, Ganguly led the Indian team in 49 Test matches and 147 ODIs, making him one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. His win percentage was 42.85 in Test matches and 51.70 in ODIs.
Ganguly’s impact on Indian cricket was not limited to his performances on the field. He played a crucial role in inspiring and instilling a sense of passion in the young team. Under his captaincy, India reached the finals of the 2003 World Cup, although they lost to Australia. Ganguly’s leadership and batting prowess were instrumental in India’s journey to the finals, where he scored 465 runs in 11 matches.
Throughout his career, Ganguly’s performances in ICC tournaments stood out. He played 34 matches in ICC tournaments, including 21 Cricket World Cup matches and 13 matches in the Champions Trophy. He scored more than 1,600 runs in these tournaments, with a highest score of 183 runs. In the 1998 ICC Knockout and the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy, Ganguly emerged as one of the top run-scorers. In the 1999 World Cup, he was the third-highest run-scorer for India, with 379 runs in seven innings.
Ganguly’s love affair with ICC knockout games and World Cup matches continued in subsequent tournaments as well, although India did not achieve the desired results. Nevertheless, he scored crucial runs in these competitions, leaving a lasting impact.
One iconic moment etched in the memories of fans is when Ganguly took off his shirt on Lord’s balcony in 2003 after India’s victory over England in the Natwest Series final. This celebration became a symbol of his passion and determination.
As Sourav Ganguly celebrates his 52nd birthday, fans fondly remember his contributions to Indian cricket. From shaping a young team to leading them in high-stakes tournaments, Ganguly’s legacy as one of India’s great cricketers and captains remains intact. The Prince of Kolkata continues to inspire the next generation of cricket enthusiasts as the Director of Cricket for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
Happy birthday, Dada! May your journey in cricket continue to inspire and bring joy to fans around the world.
