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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The former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin is considered as one of the most successful captians of Indian side. Born on 8 February 1963 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh was also an elegant right-handed batsman who usually batted at five in Test cricket.

Azharuddin had a graceful, fluid batting style, which is most often compared with David Gower. He is known for his wrist flick shot and was best against spinners. The grace and fluidity of his wrist once made John Woodcock, the noted cricket writer, made say that it is not possible for any Englishman to bat like Azhar. Azhar was born and grown up in Hyderabad.

Azhar played 99 tests for India, in which scored a total of 22 centuries at an average of 45. He also hit 7 tons in ODIs at an average of 37. He scored a century in each of his first three Tests which still is a record. He is also known as one of thebest fielders of Indian side and has taken a world record 156 catches in ODI cricket.

He was given LBW out for 199 in a test match against Sri Lanka which is his highest Test Score.In 1991 he was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year. He was seen as an inspirational figure for young cricketers of that time.

Azhar became captain of the Indian team in 1989. He led India to win in103 ODI matches, which is still an Indian record. As a captain, he brought 14 Test wins to indian side, which was broken by Sourav Ganguly later. In the final years of his career, he got involved with the match-fixing scandal, which resulted his exit from the team. BCCI banned him from the game of cricket for life in 2000, which was later lifted in 2006. How ever, the ban prevented him completing 100 tests in his career.

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