An open letter to the birthday boy Sourav Ganguly

Meeting my hero

Beloved Dada,

I wish you a very delightful and graceful birthday. On this auspicious day, I would like to pray to the almighty for your health, wealth and family. You have been sensational throughout your life, let it be cricket or family.

So on your 43rd birthday I would like to cherish some exceptional memories that you’ve sketched in everyone’s life.

Early Career and Test Debut

After being dropped from the national cricket team, you never looked down and started rebuilding yourself by scoring heavy in the following Ranji seasons and the Duleep trophy. The smashing innings of 171 opened the door again and that too for a very important tour to England alongside Rahul Dravid.

You became the third player in the world to score a century on debut at the Mecca of cricket, Lords. And the innings of 131 is still the highest score on debut at Lords. In the very next Test at Trent Bridge, your immense 136 made you the third player to score centuries in his first two Test matches.

First World Cup (1999)

England was calling again and the team was boosted with young guns. In one of the very crucial matches against Sri Lanka after deciding to bat, you and Rahul sir again gave a reminder to the world of cricket that Indian cricket is in safe hands. The awestruck innings of 183(158) will remain as fresh as ever in every cricket fan’s mind and wait!

Unfortunately, India couldn’t make their way to the semi-finals but your contribution of 379 runs is unforgettable.

Captaincy

“From 2000 to 2005 you showed the world that how to rule. You led the team to major ICC events like Knockout cup (2000-Runner ups), Champions Trophy (2002-Joint winner), 2003 World Cup (Runner-ups). Winning the Natwest Trophy against England(2002) under your captaincy was such an event that it is still fresh in the minds of each and every cricket fan. Kaif scoring the final runs and you taking your shirt off.

Touring Australia and surviving against them was labeled a nightmare for any cricket captain but not for Sourav Ganguly. You led us in the Border-Gavaskar trophy(2003) and made history by regaining the trophy. You became the first captain to win both the ODI and Test series in Pakistan. Being the Indian captain, you’ve produced some players who became cricket greats over the period of time. The list contains Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra etc.

The Comeback King

Not describing a darker side but after being dropped from the national side again at the age of 32, not many can make grand comebacks. Coming in at no.6 and that too so early your 87 against RSA will never be forgotten. You never said anything but always executed everything to perfection.

Unbelievable reward to a FAN

Describing the incident which made my life! On 6th November, 2014 there was an ODI match between India and Sri Lanka at the Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad. I was driving from my home to the stadium with my friend Krushn and as soon as we entered in our stand, I heard people discussing about your presence and hearing this I ran towards the boundary line.

There was a gap between the stands and the boundary line and there you were, standing with Kapil Sir and Jatin Sapru for the pre-match show. I felt everything blurred out and naturally cried seeing you so near. The show went on and I was still bowing and crying, but meanwhile you observed me crying and shivering and told the crew staff something pointing at me.

One of the staff members ran towards me and told me that “Dada wants to meet you”, Shivers increased! I tried to open the door which was next to our pavilion, but it was locked so I went outside and entered from another main gate. My friend followed me and few strangers too, but the bouncer didn’t allow anyone of them to enter but me. And there I was... Standing just next to the boundary line, the show had resumed again.

I was waiting for the show to end and still shivering as I was just at a distance of 8-10 feet. There came the Director of Star India and asked me a few questions and I barely could answer his questions.

Whistle!!

Kapil paaji whistled to call me and there I was taking slow steps thinking that I’ll be living one of the biggest dreams of my life. I went and touched the feet of Kapil Paaji first and then as soon as I tried to reach your feet, you held my hands and told me not to do that.

But at the same time Kapil Paaji insisted me to touch your feet by saying “Aaj toh pakad hi lo inke paanv, Cricket pura ghus jaayega” I described you how I’ve been admiring you for last the 15 years and then you uttered those golden words, “ Everyone was shouting my name for so long but only one emotional face could catch my concentration, I don’t deserve this much.. Oh god you’re still shivering, Let me hug you!” That’s it! How down to earth and humble you are!

We all Love you a lot Dada and will love you forever!

“I am a Gangulian and after my death my soul will remain the same!”