Sourav Chandidas Ganguly, popularly known as Sourav Ganguly or Prince of Kolkata or Dada, has been rated by many as one of the most elegant left-handed batsmen the world has ever seen. The former Indian cricket team captain, though now retired, is presently the fifth highest run getter in one-day internationals and also the fifth person in cricketing history to score past 10,000 runs.

Born on 8 July 1972, Sourav Ganguly made his test debut on 20 June 1996 v England and ODI debut on 11 January 1992 v West Indies. In the 1999 Cricket World Cup, Ganguly and Rahul Dravid were involved in a record partnership of 318 runs, which is still an unchallenged record for the highest overall partnership score in the World Cup tournament history. Sourav Ganguly also holds the record for scoring the second highest individual score in the history of World Cup when he shattered 183 from 158 balls, including 17 fours and 7 sixes, against Sri Lanka at Taunton.

The style of Ganguly was best described by his former teammate, Rahul Dravid, who once said that Ganguly is next to God on the off-side. During his illustrious career, Ganguly scored 16 centuries in Test matches and 22 in ODIs and formed the most dominating and successful opening pair in ODIs with Sachin Tendulkar amassing 26 century partnerships for the first wicket. The list of records to Ganguly’s name does not end here - Sourav Ganguly is one of the only three players in ODI history to attain a treble of 10,000 runs, 100 catches, and 100 wickets besides Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya.

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Former Indian cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly is known for his timely shots. His hallmark was the perfect timing which led India to numerous wins. The stylish left-hander’s choice of time to quit was also excellent, feels former Indian players.
According to former captain Bishan Singh Bedi, Ganguly is a ‘legend’ of the game. Remember, Bedi was a bitter critic of Dada for long time.

Bedi said that he would like to celebrate his retirement, rather than mourn over it because of his enormous contribution to Indian cricket.

Bedi finds Ganguly a great player, a legend of the game who hung up his boots. He added that he is not surprised since such a possibility was doing the rounds. It looked very much on the cards. Ganguly became a forerunner among the senior players and he went on his own terms. The former Indian spinner even has requested all to treat senior players with lot more respect.

Bishan Singh Bedi feels that the senior players including Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman are great cricketers “and requires lot more compassion and respect. They should not be ridiculed.

The chief selector of BCCI K Srikkanth said that Ganguly had a talk with him and fellow selector Narendra Hirwani before announcing his decision to quit.

He said that in the chat, he said that he felt it is time for him to go. Every now and then, the axe was on him and he said, and Ganguly never wanted to play under any pressure. Srikkanth said that he prayed for Ganguly to score more runs as he deserved a magnificent farewell. Players like Sourav Ganguly deserve to go out on a winning note. He even added that Ganguly falls into the list of most aggressive batsmen ever Indian side had and it is very difficult to replace him.

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