Jul 8, 2023

Sourav Ganguly: The Story Of A Fearless Captain And A Legendary Batter

NewsPoint

Rise of 'Dada'

‘Dada’ is the nickname of Ganguly, who became the captain of Team India because of his bold personality and excellent strokeplay. He guided a team that was struggling with the match-fixing scandal in the early 2000s, and showed them how to overcome any challenges and win.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

Mastering The Off-Side

The 'God of Offside,' Ganguly's sublime shots and expert play on the off-side made him a fan-favourite. His mesmerising cuts and drives in that region earned him the nickname and showcased his exceptional skills.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

Test Cricket Dominance

In Test cricket, Ganguly appeared in 113 matches, scoring 7,212 runs at an average of 42.17. With 16 centuries and 35 half-centuries in 188 innings, his highest score of 239 was achieved during his debut Test against England at Lord's in 1996.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

Leadership On Display

Ganguly led India in 49 Test matches, boasting a win record of 21 wins, 13 losses, and 15 draws, win percentage of 42.85. He remains one of India's most successful captains. He guided the team to a historic series victory over Australia, reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

ODI Captaincy

As captain in ODIs, Ganguly led India in 147 matches, with 76 victories, 66 losses, and five matches producing no results. His win percentage as an ODI captain stands at 51.70.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

India's Triumph Against Australia In Kolkata

Ganguly's captaincy also witnessed unforgettable moments, such as the remarkable comeback against Australia in the second Test at Kolkata, orchestrated by VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. This Test series win is cherished as one of India's finest achievements.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

ODI Excellence

Representing India in 311 ODIs, Ganguly amassed 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02. With 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries in 300 innings, his highest score of 183 solidified his place as the ninth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket and the third-highest for India.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

Stellar Year

Notable among Ganguly's achievements is his stellar performance in the year 2000, where he scored 1,579 runs in 32 ODIs at an average of 56.39. This included seven centuries and six fifties, with a highest score of 144.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

World Cup Final

Under Ganguly's captaincy, India reached the pinnacle of the Cricket World Cup in 2003, advancing to the finals. In a gripping encounter against Australia, India fought valiantly but fell just short, narrowly losing the championship game.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

Ganguly's Influence On Future Captains

His impact on Indian cricket extended beyond his own era, with both Dhoni and Kohli inheriting his leadership traits. They imbibed Ganguly's qualities of strong leadership, a commanding aura, an unwavering winning mindset, and the ability to nurture players into match-winners.

Image Source: Sourav-Ganguly/Instagram

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