September 24, 2015
KOLKATTA – Sourav Ganguly's journey from a youngster accused of bad attitude to arguably India's best captain and now the chief of Cricket Association of Bengal has been one of transformation and continued success.
September 24, 2015
KOLKATTA – Sourav Ganguly's journey from a youngster accused of bad attitude to arguably India's best captain and now the chief of Cricket Association of Bengal has been one of transformation and continued success.
First he transformed himself into one of the most successful cricketers of his generation and then added competitiveness and aggression under his leadership to make India a winning team.
The left-handed batsman, seven years after his retirement from international cricket, took over as Cricket Association of Bengal chief on Thursday after the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya on Sunday – an appointment made by the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, herself.
Here are a few interesting facts from Ganguly's eventful career:
- Born July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, Ganguly made his ODI debut in Australia in 1992 but it It was alleged that he had refused to carry drinks and was discarded after one game for his poor attitude.
- He was recalled for the Test tour of England in 1996 and Ganguly struck hundreds in his first two Tests.
- He and Sachin Tendulkar became the world's most successful opening pair in the short format during their time.
- Ganguly was named the captain of team India in 2000 after Tendulkar quit the job.
- He went on to win a record 21 Tests for India as a skipper which included the famous 2-1 comeback series win at home against Australia in 2001.
- During the 2001 series, he supposedly reported late for the toss for every game and this irritated the Aussie skipper Steve Waugh.
- Ganguly was once again in controversy when he took off his shirt on the Lord's balcony and waved it in air after India chased down 326 to win the NatWest series against England.
- Ganguly led India to the 2003 ICC World Cup final in South Africa but they were completely outplayed by Australia in the summit clash at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
- The biggest controversy of Ganguly's career was his differences with the then India coach Greg Chappell in 2005.
- Later poor fitness and a downfall in batting form saw him getting dropped from the ODI squad in 2005 and Rahul Dravid took over as the captain.
- He was recalled before the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Ganguly got back his spot and was looking good but was again dropped from the ODIs in 2008 before he announced his retirement from international cricket in October.
- He is part of BCCI's current Cricket Advisory Committee alongside Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.
- He served as the Joint Secretary of the CAB before Dalmiya's sad demise led to him being given the state board's presidency.
Courtesy: IBN
