5 instances when Sourav Ganguly owned the commentary box

sourav ganguly nasser hussain
England are nothing but a mere laughing stock in Football

sourav ganguly

Whether you like him or don’t, there is no denying that Sourav Chandidas Ganguly was one of the greatest and most flamboyant cricketers to play for India. What marked the line of difference between him and the rest was, and is, his never-say-die attitude. Following his retirement from the game, he owned the commentary box like the King of Wits.

For those who have followed Dada closely, his frankness has always been very transparent in the media. As much as on the field, his swagger behind the mic too has been loved by all.

Here are 5 instances when Dada entertained us with his verbal and witty Dadagiri.


When he hit back at Nasser Hussain

Ganguly and Hussain were both legendary captains they shared an intense on-field rivalry. When Nasser Hussain mocked the unlikely possibility of the Indian Football Team playing in the FIFA World Cup, Dada hit back cleverly.

Nasser: "When can I see India in the FIFA World Cup?"

Ganguly: "If India had played football for 50 years, then we would have qualified for the finals at least once."

While the fortunes of Indian football in the global arena seem decayed, Nasser should not have forgotten that the owner of Atletico de Kolkata is as devoted to football as cricket.

Trolled Pakistan cricket in joviality

sourav ganguly waqar younis
Ganguly with Waqar after India defeated Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup

The India-Pakistan rivalry has been amusingly portrayed in the famous Mauka-Maula ad since the ICC world cup 2015. The spoof, made by Star Sports, received millions of YouTube views and was re-launched during the Asia Cup and World T20. In a light conversation with Harsha Bhogle, Ganguly trolled the Pakistan cricket team ahead of its match with India.

Harsha: "Have you seen the new 'Mauka Mauka' ad?"

Ganguly: "Yes I have seen that ad and this ad will remain the same for next 10 to 12 years because Pakistan will never beat India in the World Cup."

Well, the Pakistan Cricket Team has proved Dada correct till date.

Banter with Ravi Shastri

sourav ganguly ravi shastri
Ganguly has picked up this habit of giving it back to Shastri!

The Dada-Shastri rift is well-known for years now. The internet is full of jokes on the former cricketer Ravi Shastri for his commentary cliches. Shastri has always come across as a pompous and boastful person, but Dada knows how to own him!

During a commentary stint in a Test against at New Zealand in 2012, Shastri and Ganguly were discussing the state associations naming stadium stands on players. Ganguly, who is called the Prince of Kolkata, still does not have a stand named after him, and so Shastri simply could not miss the opportunity to troll him.

Ravi Shastri: “In Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is there a Ganguly pavilion or Ganguly stand?”

Sourav Ganguly: “The ground belongs to Ganguly!”

Smashed it!

When he gave it back to Geoffrey Boycott

sourav ganguly geoffrey boycott
“Lord's is your Mecca, and Wankhede is ours!”

Sourav Ganguly and Geoffrey Boycott always shared a cordial relationship. During their commentary stint together, the former England cricketer got a taste of his own medicine when he attempted to needle Dada.

Boycott: “You must mention your experience about taking your jersey off and flying it in the air at the Mecca of Cricket: Lord's! Oh, you naughty boy!”

Ganguly: “One of your boys also took off his jersey here in Mumbai.”

Boycott: “Yeah, but Lord's is the Mecca of cricket.”

Ganguly: “Lord's is your Mecca, and Wankhede is ours!”

As upfront as he could get!

In a livid response to Rajdeep Sardesai on Greg Chappell

sourav ganguly greg chappell
“If he (Chappell) is hearing this on TV, he dare not call Sourav Ganguly.”

Although this didn’t happen in the confines of a commentary box, one simply cannot miss out on Greg Chappell when talking of Dada’s on-spot replies.

The Ganguly-Chappell spat is one of the ugliest ones in cricket. Even Sachin Tendulkar in his autobiography criticized the Australian and penned about the harm he inflicted to Indian cricket. Following the launch of Playing It My Way, the Chappell subject was brought up by journalist Rajdeep Sardesai in a question to Ganguly.

Rajdeep Sardesai: “Does Greg Chappell owe an apology to Indian cricket? To Sachin Tendulkar, to Sourav Ganguly, to Dravid?”

Sourav Ganguly: “He can call up Tendulkar or Dravid. But he dare not dial my number. If he is hearing this on TV, he dare not call Sourav Ganguly.”

Clearly, don’t mess with the God of offside, on or off the field.

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Edited by Staff Editor