5 memorable ODI knocks by Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly Takes Over As President Cricket Association Of Bengal
Sourav Ganguly Takes Over As President Cricket Association Of Bengal

8th of July, 2018 the day when Sourav Ganguly celebrates his 46th birthday. The prince of Kolkata is one of the greatest Indian batsmen of all time and is highly attributed for Indian teams’ revival in world cricket.

Lovingly called as ‘Dada’ by his fans, Sourav Ganguly is the man every Indian cricket fan idolized. Known for his flamboyant playing style, the left-hander from Bengal captained India from 2000-05 in ODI cricket. He also led his country in Test cricket on 49 occasions. It was under Ganguly's leadership that India reached the final of 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

The former Indian skipper scored 11,363 runs in 311 ODI matches and is one of only eight men to scored over 11,000 runs in ODIs. Along with that Ganguly scored 7,212 runs in 112 Tests.

It is fair to say that the Prince of Kolkata was undoubtedly one of the most dynamic Indian batsmen of all time. Often known to think out of the box, Sourav Ganguly revolutionalised Indian cricket. Players like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra credit their career success to dada for his empowering influence.

With that out of the way, let us take a look at Sourav Ganguly's 5 memorable ODI innings:

#1 183 vs Sri Lanka, 1999

It was a Tau
It was a Taunton classic from Ganguly

Probably the greatest knock by an Indian at a World Cup game. Dada made 183 of 158 deliveries to help India post a mammoth total of 373 against Sri Lanka in Taunton. With 17 fours and 7 sixes, Ganguly battered the Sri Lankan bowling lineup comprising of Muttiah Muralidharan, Chaminda Vaas and co.

Well accompanied by Rahul Dravid at the other end who managed to score an impressive 145, Ganguly orchestrated India's attack. This till date remains the highest score by an Indian at the World Cup. Though India failed to progress through the super 6 stage, Ganguly's exuberant knock will be remembered for a long, long time.

This remains Sourav Ganguly's highest ODI score and was rightly named as the man of the match in Taunton.

#2 117 vs New Zealand, 2000

Ganguly
Ganguly's first attempt at captaincy during an ICC tournament

From the 1999 World Cup, we hop on to the 2000 Champions Trophy. The tournament, which was being contested for only the 2nd time had Kenya as its hosts. Sourav Ganguly captained India in this tournament, which was his first time as captain at an ICC tournament.

India managed to reach the final of the tournament after beating the likes of Australia and South Africa in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively. The final was contested at the Gymkhana club ground, Nairobi between India and New Zealand.

Ganguly carried his superb form to the final where he scored 117 to help India post a competitive total of 264/6. Though India lost out to a dynamic New Zealand side, Ganguly’s knock was the highlight of the final and that helped him finish the tournament as the highest run-getter.

#3 141 vs Pakistan, 1999

One of the
One of the finest ODI knocks in an India-Pakistan ODI

India and Pakistan share a rivalry like no other. The neighbouring nations have a huge amount of history between them and fireworks are expected every time the giants collide. Ganguly has a piece of history of his own against Pakistan. It was in 1999 that an Indian side led by the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar travelled to Australia for a tri-series with Pakistan completing the trio of participants.

Batting first India posted a competitive total of 267 courtesy of Sourav Ganguly's brilliant innings of 141. He single-handedly fought the Pakistani bowling attack. Wasim Akram and co. found it extremely hard to contain the left-hander. Though Akram got Ganguly in the end with an lbw, the prince of Kolkata received a standing ovation from the Adelaide crowd for his heroics.

With the amount of prestige at stake when India and Pakistan collide, this knock becomes all the more special.

#4 111 vs Kenya, 2003

India's captain Sourav Ganguly in action
India's captain Sourav Ganguly in action

India managed to reach the final of 2003 World Cup in South Africa. On their course, they battered each opposition comfortably. Their semi-final opponents were Kenya, the only non-Test playing nation to ever reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. Ganguly took the responsibility to end the Kenyan fairytale by scoring a memorable knock of 111 at Durban.

Batting first India managed to score 270 with Ganguly scoring a devastating century to put India in a firm position. India beat Kenya and reached the final before losing out to Australia for the trophy.

This was Saurav Ganguly's last ODI century and the prince of Kolkata made it one of the most memorable ones as well as he helped India reach the final of the World Cup as a result of it.

#5 141* vs South Africa, 2000

Gan
Ganguly was simply sensational during the 2000 Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy in Kenya was probably Saurav Ganguly's finest ICC campaign. India defeated Australia in the quarterfinal before setting up a juicy semi-final against South Africa in Nairobi. The Indian skipper led from the front as he scored an unbeaten 141 to give India a huge total to defend. The South African side had no reply for Saurav's masterclass as he got into each and every bowler put in front of him.

Opening the innings with Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly managed to play out the entire 50 overs to help India post a daunting total of 295-6. The South African side led by Shaun Pollock didn’t put much of a fight as India won comprehensively by 95 to reach the final of ICC knockout tournament in Kenya.

Do tell us about your favourite Sourav Ganguly's innings in the comment section below.

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Edited by Srihari