Sourav Ganguly, affectionately known as Dada, is a name that resonates powerfully in Indian cricket. His aggressive style, fearless captaincy, and match-winning capabilities not only shaped a generation of cricketers but also gave India a bold new cricketing identity. Born on July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, West Bengal, Ganguly rose to become one of the most influential and successful captains in Indian cricket history.

 

Early Life and Entry into Cricket

Coming from a wealthy family in Kolkata, Ganguly was initially encouraged to pursue football, but his elder brother introduced him to cricket. He started making waves in domestic cricket early on, scoring heavily for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. His consistent performance earned him a place in the Indian team, and he made his ODI debut in 1992. However, it was in 1996, during his Test debut at Lord’s, that he truly announced his arrival, scoring a majestic century.

 

Rise to Stardom

Ganguly quickly became a regular in the Indian team due to his elegant strokeplay, especially his cover drives and offside play. He formed a formidable opening partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in ODIS, which was one of the most successful in cricket history. Together, they dominated bowlers around the world and gave India many match-winning starts.

 

Captaincy and Transformation of Indian Cricket

Appointed captain in 2000, at a time when Indian cricket was going through a match-fixing scandal, Ganguly brought discipline, aggression, and a fighting spirit to the team. Under his leadership:

India won the NatWest Trophy in 2002 (famously remembered for Ganguly waving his shirt from the Lord’s balcony).

Reached the final of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

Drew a historic Test series in Australia in 2003-04.

Won a Test series in Pakistan in 2004.

Ganguly backed young talents like Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, and MS Dhoni, who later formed the core of the Indian team. His legacy is widely regarded as the foundation of India’s dominant era in world cricket.

 

Controversies and Comeback

Despite his success, Ganguly’s career was not without controversy. His strained relationship with coach Greg Chappell led to his ousting from the team in 2005. However, Ganguly made a stunning comeback in 2006 and continued to perform consistently until he retired from international cricket in 2008.

 

Career Stats (International)

Tests: 113 matches | 7,212 runs | Avg: 42.17 | 16 centuries

ODIs: 311 matches | 11,363 runs | Avg: 41.02 | 22 centuries

 

Post-Retirement Career

After retirement, Sourav Ganguly transitioned into cricket administration and commentary. His sharp cricketing brain and deep understanding of the game made him a respected voice in analysis. He served as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and was later appointed the 39th President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in October 2019.

As BCCI President, Ganguly played a key role in launching the Day-Night Test match in India, overseeing the management of cricket during the COVID-19 pandemic, and strengthening India’s domestic and international cricket structure.

 

Personal Life

Sourav Ganguly is married to Dona Ganguly, an Odissi dancer, and they have a daughter named Sana. Known for his calm demeanour off the field and fierce personality on it, Ganguly remains one of India’s most respected cricketing figures.

 

Legacy

Sourav Ganguly is more than just a cricketer—he is a symbol of resilience, courage, and leadership. His impact on Indian cricket is profound, having instilled a belief in the team that they could win abroad and stand up to the best in the world. He is fondly referred to as the "God of the Off-Side" for his exceptional strokeplay and is widely credited with changing the face of Indian cricket.