Sourav Ganguly, also known as “Dada,” is a former Indian cricketer and one of the most iconic captains in Indian cricket history. Here are some interesting milestones and achievements in Sourav Ganguly’s career:
Sourav Ganguly Test Debut
Ganguly made his Test debut against England at Lord’s in 1996. He scored a century in his debut match, becoming only the third cricketer to achieve this feat.
Sourav Ganguly ODI Debut
He made his One Day International (ODI) debut against West Indies in 1992 but didn’t have a great start to his ODI career. However, he later became one of India’s finest ODI batsmen.
Test Century at Homecoming:
After being dropped from the Indian team, Ganguly made a remarkable comeback in 1996 against England in his hometown, Kolkata. He scored a century in the second Test, playing a crucial role in India’s victory.
Captaincy of Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly took over the captaincy of the Indian cricket team in 2000. Under his leadership, the Indian team achieved remarkable success and instilled a new fighting spirit. He is credited with building a competitive Indian team and nurturing young talents.
ICC Champions Trophy Win
In 2002, Ganguly led the Indian team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy held in Sri Lanka. This was India’s first major tournament win in a global event.
Natwest Trophy Final
In the Natwest Trophy final against England in 2002, Ganguly and Virender Sehwag stitched together a famous partnership, chasing down a challenging target. Ganguly celebrated the victory by waving his shirt at Lord’s, creating an iconic moment.
Test Series Win in Pakistan
In 2004, Ganguly led the Indian team to a historic Test series win in Pakistan. It was India’s first Test series win in Pakistan and a significant achievement for Ganguly as captain.
Most Test Centuries by an Indian
Sourav Ganguly is one of India’s most prolific Test batsmen. He scored 16 centuries in Test matches, which was the record for most Test centuries by an Indian at the time of his retirement.
Fastest ODI Fifty by an Indian
Ganguly holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian in ODIs. He achieved this feat in 1999 against Sri Lanka, reaching fifty in just 26 balls.Retiring on a High: Ganguly retired from international cricket in 2008. His last Test match was against Australia in Nagpur, where he scored a century in his final innings. It was a fitting farewell for one of India’s cricketing legends.
These are just a few notable milestones in Sourav Ganguly’s career. He made a significant impact on Indian cricket both as a player and a captain, leaving a lasting legacy.