Saurav Ganguly the Bengal tiger of Indian cricket has turned 48 today on July 8, 2020. He was a skipper best known for his captaincy, leadership quality, aggressive nature of playing and not letting their opponent to dominate them.
Ganguly is the person that shaped and gave direction to team India for the better future of cricket. He might not have won world cup or No 1 test ranking, but he had made the contribution for the team by giving each and every talent to perform and by filling them with confidence of playing under any situation and showing them there real worth.
Sourav Chandidas Ganguly was born on 8 july 1972, is an Indian cricket administrator, commentator and former national cricket team captain who is the 39th and current president of the BCCI. He was a left-handed opening batsman and was captain of the Indian national team. He was elected as the president of BCCI in 2019 along with presidency of the editorial board with Wisden India.
Throughout his career he was especially good through the off side and got the nickname God of the Off Side for his elegant stroke play square of the wicket and through the covers.
It is said that the friendship of cricket and Ganguly was done by his elder brother, Snehasish. Ganguly initiated his cricket career through playing in school and state teams. After marking his presence in the Indian domestic tournaments such as Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy, he got his first international break on India tour of England. His one of the most memorable and record breaking knocks include the partnership of 318 runs with Rahul Dravid during the 1999 World Cup, it’s even a record till now.
He was handed over the captaincy of the Indian team in 2000 after the resignation of the then captain Sachin Tendulkar. He has 11363 runs and 22 ODI hundreds to his name. During his leadership, India went on to beat Australia in Test series in 2001, beat England at Lord’s to win 2002 Natwest Trophy, reached 2003 ODI World Cup final, drew against England in Test series in 2004, and even defeated Pakistan in a Test series in 2005.
He has been bestowed with one the highest civilian awards of country, Padma Shri in 2004. He was also honoured with Banga Bibhushan Award from the West Bengal government in 2013.
Ganguly known for his bold decisions has made some of the most remarkable decisions for the Indian cricket team which laid the very foundation stone for the Indian team to become the World Champions. On his birth anniversary let us remember some of his masterstroke decisions which paid India in the future.
- Asking Sehwag to open the batting. Later his brilliant decision paid off and Sehwag became one of the most successful Test openers for India and also contributed to many memorable victories especially overseas.
- Asking Rahul Dravid to keep wickets for the balance of the side. Reluctant Dravid, who was one of India’s most reliable top-order batsmen then, had no choice but to obey his captain’s commands. The move turned out to be a successful one as it allowed India to play an extra batsman during that time.
- Promoting Laxman to the No.3 during Kolkata test against Australia in 2001.
- Identifying M.S.Dhoni and promoting him.
- Promoting young talent to make them believe that they can win overseas.