Sourav Ganguly is A former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national Cricket team, Widely regarded as one of India’s most successful captains in modern times, Sourav also holds the reputation for infusing Indian cricket with a sense of aggression, boldness, drive. Sourav Ganguly is also Known as the Bengal Tiger of the Indian cricket team. He is recognized as someone who gave confidence to the team, re-energized them and took India, for the first time, to glorious overseas victories.
Some of the milestones set by this cricketer include 22 ODI centuries and as many as 20 century opening-partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar. Sourav Ganguly is the third player to score 10,000 ODI runs and second-fastest after Sachin Tendulkar. Ganguly was also awarded with Padma Shri in 2004 for his magnanimous contribution to the world of cricket.
Sourav Ganguly’s life is the story of a man who faced several struggles, betrayals and setbacks on his way to sporting greatness. Many credit him for turning relatively inexperienced players into a match-winning unit.
Currently, Sourav is the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal and President of the Editorial Board with Wisden India. Sourav Ganguly is also one of the four members of the Indian Premier League’s Governing Council, responsible for all the functions of the tournament.
Sourav Ganguly, the man who fought all odds , is an epitome of guts and glory resulted in appearing as the finest batsman and captain of Indian cricket team. Today as India climbs to its new heights as an international cricket team, one cannot but be in awe of the amazing work which Sourav put in to make its foundations being a great mentor who identified and gave talent the opportunity to flourish. Being a very influential figure in Indian cricket history he is the person who changed the perception of Indian cricket and cricketers abroad. His hunger to achieve success and passion for the game of cricket is truly an inspiring tale.
He says he followed a simple formula for success:
“I picked talented players from all parts of the country. And I backed them and gave them enough space. The main thing was taking the fear of failure and insecurity away from them,” he says. As a Motivational Speaker Sourav gives us a detailed insight into this never-say-die mindset.
Sourav Ganguly’s story is a message of perseverance for all. Sourav Ganguly will forever rank as one of Indian cricket’s best leaders. Even more a leader of men than just a player, he is rightly credited for having changed the mindset of the Indian cricket team at the turn of the century. Ganguly injected positivity and taught the art of competing and even winning, his single-biggest contribution to Indian cricket. At the root of this transformation was his mindset. Not to give up in the face of adversity.
Fast Facts
- Scored tons in the first two Test innings he played
- Captained India to the 2003 World Cup final
- Recipient of India’s fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri
- Was third to reach the 10,000-run mark in ODIs
- Scored 22 ODI centuries, third best for an Indian behind Tendulkar and Kohli
- His initial choice of sport was football before taking up cricket seriously
- Was the fastest to 9000 ODI runs before AB de Villiers broke his record
- Won 11 Tests overseas, the most for an Indian captain
- Only cricketer to win four consecutive Man of the Match awards in ODIs
