SAURAV GANGULY: Famous Indian Cricketer

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly

• Born: 8 July 1972 (age 43)
• Place: Behala, Calcutta, West Bengal, India
• Height: 5 ft. 11 in (1.80 m)
• Nickname: The Prince of Calcutta, the Maharaja, the God of the Off Side, Dada, the Warrior Prince
• Batting style: Left-handed
• Bowling style: Right arm medium
• Role: Batsman
• Parents: Chandidas Ganguly, Nirupa Ganguly
• Brother: Snehasish Ganguly
• Wife: Dona Ganguly (m.1997)
• Children: Sana Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly was born on 8 July 1972 in Calcutta, and is the youngest son of Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly. Ganguly had a luxurious childhood and was nicknamed the 'Maharaja', meaning the 'Great King'.

Saurav Ganguly, who is also fondly known as Dada, has been one of the most successful captains of the Indian national cricket team. He is an excellent left-handed batsman with lakhs of fans and followers across the country.

Cricket is the most popular sport in India: the popularity of the game surpasses distinctions and barriers of age, education, caste and gender. During a Test series or a one-day international match, cricket fans love to enjoy their favorite game on radio or television and sometimes even at the cost of their work at home or office.

It would only by appropriate and interesting to learn more about one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team. He is a medium paced right handed bowler. He played his first one-day match against the West Indies at Brisbane of 11^th January 1992 and his first test-match against England at Lords Stadium in 1996.

His batting shows a complete amalgamation of strength and enthusiasm.

He can play excellent shots on the off-side as well. Initially, there was grave criticism at his inclusion in the Test team. It was said that he was given a place in the team because of the quota system. But it was not long before Saurav silenced his critics by scoring a century in his first two Test innings. Also he didn’t stop at this alone. He was of also given the “Men of the Series” award for taking the maximum number of wickets.

Initially, Saurav was thought suitable only for Test matches because of his inability to play on side strokes. But he soon got over this weakness and in the 1997 Sahara Cup in Toronto, he carved a place for himself with his magnificent cricket against the Pakistan team. He performed a feat of making 75 runs in 75 balls and also taking five wickets for only 16 runs. He also won the “Man of the Match” award four times in Toronto and was also chosen “Man of the Series” for this very reason.

Saurav has played as an opening batsman a number of times along with Saching Tendulkar. Saurav’s main problem has always been running between the wickets. He believes in striking a four rather than taking ones and twos.

He was also chosen the “Man of the Series” against Sri Lanka Team. He was declared the best batsman of the year in 1997 for making the highest number of runs during the year. India managed to score the highest number of 314 runs against Pakistan Team because of Saurav’s century. His 252 run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar is the highest partnership record till date.

Saurav and Tendulker as opening batsman are the fourth most successful openers in the history of international one-day cricket.

Saurav Ganguly Achievements:

• He was chosen the “Man of the Series” in the Pepsi Cup in 1999. He made a score of 275 runs and took four wickets. 
• He is among a few players to make a century and take four wickets in one match. 
• He was chosen the “Man of the Series” in the five one-day series against New Zealand team in November 1999. 
• He was appointed captain of the Indian Cricket team in February 2000. 
• In the 1999 World Cup, while playing a one-day match against Sri Lanka Team, he put up a massive score of 183 and broke Kapil Dev’s earlier record of 175 runs. This was the highest score made by any Indian player at that time. 
• Saurav and Tendulkar as opening batsman are the fourth most successful opening duo in the history of international one-day cricket. 
• He was bestowed the Arjuna Award in 1998. 
• In the Sahara Cup in 1997, he won the “Man of the Match” award four times in Toronto and was also chosen the “Man of the Series” for this very reason. 
• His 252 run partnership with Tendulkar is the highest partnership record till date. 
• He was given the “Sports person of the Year” award in 1998. 
• In 1997, he became the only player to make the highest run score in a one-day international match.