Sourav Ganguly
The Maharaja of Indian Cricket
Sourav Chandidas Ganguly (born 8 July 1972) is an Indian cricket administrator and former cricketer and captain of the Indian national cricket team. He is popularly called the Maharaja of Indian Cricket. He is regarded as one of India's most successful cricket captains. As captain, he led Indian national team to win the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy and reach the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2004 Asia Cup.
Quick Facts
- Office
- Chairman of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee
- Took office
- 17 November 2021
- Predecessor
- Anil Kumble
Lore & Background
Ganguly scored 11,363 runs in his ODI career which stands at ninth position in the world for most runs scored in ODI matches. He was the third batsman to cross the 10,000 runs in One day cricket, after Sachin Tendulkar and Inzamam Ul Haq. He holds the record for highest score in an innings (183) by an Indian batsman in the ODI Cricket World Cup. In 2002, the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack ranked him the sixth greatest ODI batsman of all time. He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2008 and from all forms of cricket in 2012. Ganguly was awarded the fourth highest Indian civilian award, Padma Shri in 2004. He was elected as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2019. He is also a part of the Supreme Court of India appointed probe panel for the IPL Spot fixing and betting scandal's investigations.
Reader's Guide
Ganguly was born on 8 July 1972 in Calcutta, and is the youngest son of Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly. He was educated at St. Xavier's Collegiate School, Kolkata, then graduated in commerce from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. He is married to Indian classical dancer Dona Ganguly, with whom he has a daughter Sana (born 2001). On 2 January 2021, Ganguly complained of chest pain while exercising and was later diagnosed with three blocked coronary arteries which had led to a mild heart attack. He underwent primary angioplasty for one of the blockages on the same day.
Did You Know?
- Ganguly was the third batsman to cross 10,000 ODI runs, after Sachin Tendulkar and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
- He made his Test debut at Lord's in 1996, scoring 131, the highest by any batsman on debut at that ground.
- He was nicknamed 'Maharaj' (meaning the Great King) during his childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sourav Ganguly?
He is a former Indian cricket captain and opening batsman widely respected for his leadership and aggressive batting style. Fans affectionately call him 'Dada' due to his influential role in modernizing the team during the early 2000s.
What was his primary role on the field?
Ganguly primarily served as an opening batsman known for his fearless left-handed strokeplay against fast bowling. He also captained India from 2000 to 2005, guiding them to significant series victories abroad.
What are his major achievements?
Under his captaincy, India won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and reached the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup. He also holds numerous records for centuries and runs scored across formats before retiring.
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