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Sourav Ganguly will always hold a special place in Indian cricket. He took charge of the Indian team when it was going through its darkest phase and led them to great heights.
Sourav Ganguly took a number of bold decisions while in charge of the Indian team on the field, and the players he backed went on to lead India to memorable triumphs over the years.
Sourav Ganguly was a superb batsman, and along with Sachin Tendulkar, formed the best opening batting combination for a long time in the 1990s.
As he turns 49, we take a look at the top five ODI innings by Sourav Ganguly:
141 not out vs South Africa, Nairobi, October 13, 2000
India was taking on South Africa in the semi-finals of the ICC Knockout Cup in 2000. Sourav Ganguly won the toss and elected to bat first, and he took the onus upon himself to dictate proceedings.
Following a decent start, Sourav Ganguly added a 145-run partnership with Rahul Dravid for the second wicket. He cruised to 50 in 70 balls and his century (14th in ODIs) in 114 balls.
He then exploded towards the end and remained unbeaten, taking the team to 295 for six in 50 overs. Ganguly ended with 141 runs off 142 balls, including 11 fours and six sixes.
183 vs Sri Lanka, Taunton, May 26, 1999
India took on Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup in Taunton. India was asked to bat first, and opener Sadagoppan Ramesh was dismissed in the very first over of the match.
However, this is when history was about to be made. Rahul Dravid walked in and, along with Sourav Ganguly, added a partnership of more than 300 runs, the first instance of it being done in ODI cricket.
Sourav Ganguly was in the mood as he slaughtered the Sri Lankan bowlers, hitting seven sixes and 17 fours to end up with 183 runs off 158 balls.
India ended with their highest total in ODIs at the time – 373 for six in 50 overs and went on to win the match by a comprehensive margin.
141 vs Pakistan, Adelaide, January 25, 2000
India was involved in a tri-series with Pakistan and Australia in 2000. Against Pakistan, India chose to bat first and got off to a solid start.
Ganguly was initially involved in an 88-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar for the first wicket and an 87-run partnership with Dravid for the second wicket.
Sourav Ganguly completed 5000 runs in his ODI career over the course of the innings and went on to score his century off 118 balls. He was dismissed in the 49th over and walked away with 141 runs off 144 balls, smashing 12 fours and a six.
124 vs Pakistan, Dhaka, January 1998
This was the third final of the Silver Jubilee Independence Cup in Dhaka. India was asked to chase down a mammoth 315 to win the trophy from 48 overs.
The conditions did not help India either as fog set in, and the visibility was not perfect. Opening the innings, Sachin Tendulkar, and later Robin Singh at No. 3, got India off to a rollicking start.
Sourav Ganguly batted through until the 43rd over and scored an inspiring 124, as India sealed the game and the trophy on the penultimate ball. Back then, it was the highest run-chase in ODI history.
127 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, October 2001
Throughout 2001, Sourav Ganguly was going through a rough patch as far as his form was concerned.
He was susceptible to bouncers and was up against a pace attack that included Shaun Pollock, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener and Justin Kemp.
However, this was the match when Ganguly punched back and fought back. He returned to form as he smacked five sixes in a score of 127.
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