Sourav Ganguly is the face who turned around Indian Cricket Team into a World-beater. He is known for his amazing skills as well as aggression. His captaincy tenure has got to be one of the most chronicled ones in recent times. More than his proficiency on the off-side, his prolific partnership with Sachin in ODIs, his run-in with Greg Chappell, rivalries with fellow cricketers is well known. It is his role as a captain in shaping up a young team for which he is most remembered and celebrated.
The Chappell–Ganguly controversy was caused by a series of events in late 2005 and early 2006 which involved highly publicized infighting in the Indian cricket team between the then newly appointed coach Greg Chappell and captain Sourav Ganguly. When Ganguly was asked about Chappell owing an apology to Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly in a press conference, Ganguly said that Chapell can call his teammates but dare he call Ganguly.
Then India skipper Sourav Ganguly would repeatedly walk out late for the toss to try and “get under the skin” of Steve Waugh. The Australian captain was known for his mental disintegration tactics and encouraged his men to sledge, talk and get in the opposition’s face. Ganguly decided to change all that. His delayed arrival at the toss undoubtedly angered Waugh and the Indian players backed that up with constant chatter on the field.
From on-field rivalry to off-field trolling, Sourav Ganguly and Nasser Hussain have come a long way! Fans and cricket lovers thoroughly admire their extremely entertaining commentary box banter! When Hussain tried to pull Ganguly’s leg by asking when would he see Indian in FIFA world cup, Ganguly replied, “If India had played football for 50 years, then we would have qualified for the finals at least once.” Ganguly at his witty best.
We certainly love Ganguly for his undiplomatic approach and straight forward nature!