Sporting icons : Sourav Ganguly - Career HLs & video of India's stylish Left hander & former captain

 



Sourav Ganguly, born on July 8, 1972, is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national team. Known for his elegant batting style and leadership qualities, Ganguly played a pivotal role in revitalizing Indian cricket during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He made his Test debut in 1996 and quickly established himself as one of the team's key players. Under his captaincy, India achieved significant victories, including a famous Test series win against Australia in 2001. After retiring from international cricket, Ganguly transitioned to administrative roles and served as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His contributions to the sport have left a lasting legacy in Indian cricket.



Sourav Ganguly, known for his elegant and aggressive batting style, was primarily a left-handed batsman. He excelled in playing off-side strokes, earning the nickname "God of the Off Side" for his exquisite cover drives and square cuts. Ganguly's ability to dominate bowlers with his aggressive approach made him a key player in India's batting lineup.


Though he was primarily known for his batting, Ganguly also contributed as a right-arm medium-pace bowler. His bowling was often used as a surprise element, and he occasionally provided crucial breakthroughs for the team. While not a frontline bowler, his ability to chip in with important overs added depth to his all-round capabilities.



Sourav Ganguly, also known as "Dada," is one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket history. Below are detailed highlights of his career, including his Test and ODI records, awards, and some of his greatest performances.


### Early Career and Rise to Prominence

- **Debut**: Sourav Ganguly made his ODI debut for India against the West Indies on January 11, 1992, and his Test debut against England on June 20, 1996, at Lord's.

- **Lord’s Test Century**: He announced his arrival in Test cricket with a splendid century (131 runs) on debut at Lord's, becoming one of the few players to score a century on debut at this iconic venue.


### Test Career

- **Matches**: 113

- **Runs**: 7,212

- **Batting Average**: 42.17

- **Centuries**: 16

- **Half-Centuries**: 35

- **Highest Score**: 239 against Pakistan in Bangalore (2007)

- **Bowling**: 32 wickets with best figures of 3/28


### ODI Career

- **Matches**: 311

- **Runs**: 11,363

- **Batting Average**: 41.02

- **Centuries**: 22

- **Half-Centuries**: 72

- **Highest Score**: 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup

- **Bowling**: 100 wickets with best figures of 5/16 against Pakistan


### Captaincy

- **Captain of Indian Team**: Ganguly led India from 2000 to 2005 in Tests and ODIs.

- **Revival of Indian Cricket**: Under his captaincy, India achieved significant success, including reaching the finals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup and winning the 2002 NatWest Series in England.

- **Home Series Victories**: Oversaw series wins against Australia and South Africa.

- **Away Series Victories**: Notably won series in Pakistan and drew a series in Australia.


### Awards and Honors

- **Padma Shri**: Awarded in 2004, one of India's highest civilian awards.

- **Arjuna Award**: Received in 1998 for his outstanding achievement in sports.

- **Sportstar Person of the Year**: In 1998 and 2002.

- **Maharaj of Indian Cricket**: Ganguly was often referred to as the "Maharaj" (Prince) of Indian cricket for his leadership and regal bearing.


### Great Performances

- **1996 Lord’s Century**: Scored 131 on debut at Lord’s, marking his entry into Test cricket with a memorable performance.

- **1999 World Cup**: Scored a blistering 183 against Sri Lanka, which remains one of the highest individual scores in World Cup history.

- **2002 NatWest Series Final**: Played a key role in India’s historic chase against England at Lord’s and famously waved his shirt from the balcony, symbolizing a new aggressive era in Indian cricket.

- **2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy**: His leadership and crucial performances were vital in India’s famous series win against Australia, which included the iconic Kolkata Test comeback victory.

- **2004 Pakistan Tour**: Led India to a historic Test series win in Pakistan, scoring crucial runs and marshaling his bowlers effectively.


### Post-Retirement and Legacy

- **BCCI President**: In October 2019, Ganguly became the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), playing a significant role in shaping the future of Indian cricket.

- **Cricket Commentator and Analyst**: After retirement, he has also been active as a commentator and analyst, sharing his insights on the game.


Sourav Ganguly’s contributions to Indian cricket go beyond his runs and records; his aggressive captaincy and ability to inspire his team marked a turning point for Indian cricket, making him one of the most revered figures in the sport.


In the below video , watch Sourav Ganguly 's breathtaking 183 vs Sri Lanka in the 1999 World cup



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