Sourav Ganguly - Dada of the last decade

Loyalties go a long way in cricket and for most of the fool hardy boys like us, they remain forever. For most of the 90’s generation kids’ elder brothers, cousins and streets were the first mentors. They have taught us many things that no book or coach could have taught us. We owe them everything we have learnt and done on the field. And the effect of their own cricketing idols is an overwhelming aspect. Every generation has one such man who inspires scores of young fans to follow him. That’s Sachin for most of the kids but he was the master to be adored not to be followed. We required someone who represented us there, someone who can show us a new path. For many such cricket crazy kids, Sourav proved to be the one and there were some pretty strong reasons for it.

At the turn of a new century, suddenly India looked headless and leading no where. It badly needed someone to take up the charge and be the man who can bear the harsh reality out there. Leaders are born, not made and situations like this demanded a better one. Those were no ideal times for a new captain to take over, for the team was badly hurt by the match fixing allegations. But Indian cricket was blessed with a bunch of players who remained clean from the scandals and who still dreamed for their nation. Sachin, Dravid, VVS, Kumble and a few other senior players were with the team. When their skipper gave the call, they responded likewise and the result was a resurgent India. With the advent a few youngsters the team became whole once again and much more ferociously this time.

Ganguly wasn’t groomed to be a captain in the Australian style but forced by the situations to deal with it. He started played with the incoming visitors even before they set their foot in India. The famous stories of how he came late to toss, came without proper attire just to make fun of the opposing captain was something new to an Indian team. We were supposed to be the weaklings, who were supposed to be very silent and should show no aggression. Suddenly, there was a change in the attitude of the team, they became more confident seeing their skipper toying with the giants. The Aussies were on an unstoppable rampage and were here to win the Final Frontier.

And likewise, they won the first match comfortably and rushed into the second one at Eden Gardens. The story looked same here too as India was forced into a follow-on. Victory seemed imminent. But VVS and Rahul had other plans that day, one which spoiled the Australia’s party. They went to bat the entire fourth day and India ended up with an upper hand. Bhajji did the rest as Sachin chipped in with the ball too, and India emerged victorious. A splendid victory indeed, one which changed the face of Indian cricket forever. The team got a new captain who stood for its team, by its team members. They went on to win the series and it was a new India that emerged out of the series. In 2002, India found themselves in a 300+ run chase final of Natwest trophy at Lords. And there, the holiest of holy places of all the cricketing grounds, one Indian captain defied all the rules of the Gentleman’s game to take off his shirt to wave at his winning team. That moment is still vivid in memory and every young Indian fan was represented by this man on that day. And the fate of the Indian cricket was changed – a new, aggressive team was born that day. It had sent a strong message to every one that we are no more weaklings or tigers at home, we can fight and we shall fight.

And the message was made more clear in the 2003 world cup in South Africa. The team entered as underdogs but they beat all the odds to enter the finals of the tournament. The day at the Wanderers was a regrettable one though. It hurts like hell, but still, so near yet so far. The 2004 Pak series was a triumphant one again. But gradually, Dada’s personal form was in a dip and with the advent of Greg Chappel, he was out of the team. But that’s the best part of Sourav – love him or hate him but you cannot ignore him. He kept coming back with a series of comebacks when everyone thought he would be no more carrying a bat.

There was never a dull moment, his life was full of chases, gripping moments, scaled peaks, saw a deep abyss. But he kept coming back , proving everyone wrong. He timed his retirement as sweetly as his drive and it was a shock for all his followers. We knew the day would come but it was never easy. He was slow between the wickets but God on offside never ran like others after the ball, and still ended with more than 100 catches. He was never technically as correct as Sachin, Rahul or VVS but he fought his battles in his own way. There is still no one in the world who frightened the spinners like he did. Every time he steps down the track, the audience, cameramen and the fielders know where to look. He may not be the best batsman the world had ever seen or even the best captain but he changed the perspective of Indian cricket with his thinking and attitude.

Thank you Dada for all those memories and moments you have given us. We are always your boys!