Sourav Chandidas Ganguly, born on July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, West Bengal, is one of Indian cricket’s most transformative figures—both as a dynamic left-handed batsman and as a fearless captain who
While the nation is rejoicing the historic feat, many have dug past comments by influential figures in Indian cricket ecosystem, which are distasteful in nature.
Ganguly is credited with transforming the Indian team into a confident, aggressive unit capable of winning overseas. His biggest achievements include leading India to the 2003 World Cup final, drawing a Test series in Australia (2003–04), and winning a Test series in Pakistan (2004). His belief in youth and willingness to challenge convention made him a pivotal figure in modern Indian cricket.
Sourav Ganguly scored 7,212 runs in 113 Test matches and 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs. He is one of only a few players to score over 10,000 runs in both formats combined and was known for his match-winning capabilities, especially in one-dayers.
Yes, Ganguly played in the Indian Premier League. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the first few seasons and later played for Pune Warriors India. Though not as successful in the IPL, he remained a popular and respected figure throughout his tenure.
Ganguly gave debuts and consistent backing to several players who would go on to become legends. This includes Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, MS Dhoni, and Zaheer Khan. He empowered players to perform without fear, which significantly boosted India’s bench strength.
Ganguly received the Padma Shri in 2004 and has been honored with several sporting awards for his contributions to Indian cricket. He was also named as one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1997. His tenure as BCCI President further cemented his legacy as a visionary leader in Indian sports administration.