Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, also known as the “Prince of Kolkata”, turned 51 on July 8, 2023. In his 16-year- long career, he helped India win a lot of games with his batting talent and leadership prowess. From 2019-2022, he also served Indian Cricket as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president.
Ganguly’s stint as a player is still recalled by Indian cricket team supporters as the legendary cricketer is credited for changing the Indian team with his leadership skills. However, along with his captaincy, he also helped India to clinch matches with his exceptional batting talent. His 51st birthday is the best time to remember some of the extraordinary knocks that he has played in international cricket.
Here are the top three knocks of Sourav Ganguly in international cricket
3. 131 vs England at Lord’s in England in 1996
In 1996, Ganguly got a chance to make his Test debut during India’s tour of England. After losing the first Test to the hosts, India were looking to make a comeback in the second game at Lord’s. For the important match, India trusted youngsters Ganguly and Rahul Dravid to reinforce the team with their batting.
Winning the toss, India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin invited England to bat first. Riding on their wicketkeeper batter Jack Russell’s 124 and Graham Thorpe’s 89, England posted a competitive total of 344 on the board. After England’s disciplined batting display, India needed to bat sensibly to be in a commanding position.
However, openers Vikram Rathour and Nayan Mongia threw their wickets at scores of 15 and 24 respectively and India saw themselves in trouble. Ganguly, who came at number three, took the matter into his hands and played an exquisite knock of 131 to take the team to a score of 429 runs in the first innings. Along with him, the debutant Rahul Dravid also scored 95 to help India give a solid reply to the hosts. In the end, the match ended in a draw but Ganguly became a notable name in the international circuit for his swashbuckling performance at the iconic stadium.
2. 144 vs Australia at the Gabba in 2003
Indian team toured Australia in 2003 under the captaincy of Ganguly for four Tests and One-Day International (ODI) tri-series. India were looking to start their campaign positively in the opening Test at the Gabba. At the toss, India skipper Sourav Ganguly emerged victorious against his counterpart Steve Waugh and put the Aussies to bat first.
Australia batters Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting looked incredible with the bat and notched up 121 and 54 respectively to help Australia amass 323 runs in their first innings. Following the 300+ score, Virender Sehwag gave a fierce start to the team but after his wicket, Rahul Dravid (1) and Sachin Tendulkar (0) went back to the pavilion.
With India under immense pressure, Sourav Ganguly built a crucial 146-run partnership with VVS Laxman to bring the team back into the game. The India captain led the side from the front and ended up getting dismissed on 144. With Ganguly’s spunky knock, India piled up 409 runs on the board. In the second innings, Australia batters took India’s bowling unit to the cleaners and the contest ended up in a stalemate. Ganguly received the Player of the Match award for his scintillating ton.
1. 183 vs Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup
In the 1999 World Cup, India lost their initial games against South Africa and Zimbabwe, and from that point, every game became a do-or-die for the Men in Blue as one more defeat could’ve thrown them out of the competition. In their fourth match of the tournament, India faced Sri Lanka at the County Ground, Taunton.
Winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga chose to field first, and his decision backfired when India opener Sourav Ganguly came heavily on Sri Lanka bowlers. Supporting the southpaw, Rahul Dravid also dominated the defending champions and stitched a 318-run stand.
Ganguly played a colossal knock of 183 (158 deliveries) and riding on his sensational batting, India put up 373 runs on the board. The humongous total proved too hot to handle for Sri Lanka batters as they got bundled out at a score of 216 in just 42.3 overs. At the end of the day, Ganguly got the Player of the Match award for his marvellous match-winning innings. His 183-run knock is also the best of his ODI career.
from CricTracker https://ift.tt/r529taW
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