Birthday Wishes Pour for Sourav Ganguly, the Cricketing Maestro
Celebrations abound as Sourav Ganguly, the illustrious cricketer hailed as one of India’s finest captains, marks his 51st birthday. Heartfelt greetings and accolades are flooding in from the cricket world, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ex-teammates, and present players all offer their sincere wishes to ‘Dada’ on this momentous day. Ganguly’s cricketing journey commenced with his debut in the ODI match against the West Indies during the 1992 Benson and Hedges World Series. Over the course of 16 magnificent years, he rendered invaluable service to the nation.
Sourav Ganguly’s skill as a left-handed batsman gained him widespread acclaim as one of India’s finest cricketers, especially in the field of One Day Internationals (ODIs). His impressive career statistics include 7,212 runs in 113 Test matches, boasting an average of 42.17, with an impressive tally of 16 centuries.
In the domain of ODI cricket, Ganguly showcased his exceptional skills in 311 matches, accumulating 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02, accompanied by 22 centuries. However, it is his leadership as captain that etched his name in cricketing history. Assumed captaincy during a period of recovery from the match-fixing scandal in 2000, Ganguly led the Indian team to a remarkable victory over Steve Waugh’s formidable Australian squad in a Test series held on home soil. Notably, this included the unforgettable triumph at the hallowed grounds of Eden Gardens, where India emerged victorious despite being compelled to follow on.
Under Sourav Ganguly’s astute leadership, Team India also reached the final of the 2003 World Cup and the final of the 2002 Champions Trophy. The latter event saw India sharing the title with Sri Lanka due to the match being abandoned due to rain. One of Ganguly’s enduring legacies is the nurturing and support he provided to a talented pool of players, many of whom blossomed into match-winners for India. In addition, he held the position of President of the BCCI from 2019 to 2022, making notable contributions during his term.
BCCI’s official Twitter handle extended their wishes, acknowledging Ganguly’s remarkable international career spanning 424 matches, 18,575 runs, and 38 centuries. Jay Shah, the Secretary of BCCI, tweeted, “Happy Birthday, Dada! May the almighty bless you with good health and prosperity. Have a great year ahead, and I look forward to seeing you soon – @SGanguly99 #HappyBirthdayDada.”
In a nostalgic tribute, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar shared an old photograph of himself with Sourav Ganguly, capturing a special moment on the field. Tendulkar wrote, “Dadi is one man who would even celebrate his birthday on the offside. That’s how much he loved the offside. Happy birthday, my friend! @SGanguly99.”
Meanwhile, former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh playfully wished Ganguly on Twitter, hinting at planning a prank together. Yuvraj tweeted, “When you’re planning the next prank with dada without him knowing that he is the one who will actually be pranked. Happy birthday #dadi! Loads of love always @SGanguly99.”
Reflecting on Ganguly’s immense contributions, former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer commemorated the era under his captaincy. Jaffer tweeted, “This jersey, this era will always be special for Indian cricket fans. Happy Birthday to the man who led India to new heights during this era. Wish you a wonderful year full of happiness and good health, Dada @SGanguly99,” accompanied by an old photograph of Ganguly donning the iconic jersey.
Arun Singh Dhumal, the current chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and former treasurer of BCCI, expressed his birthday wishes, saying, “Happy birthday dada @SGanguly99. Have a super birthday and a great year ahead with good health, fortune, and eternal bliss!”
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh conveyed his wishes by referring to Ganguly as the “Tiger” and the “Prince of Kolkata.” Harbhajan tweeted, “Tiger, Prince of Kolkata, Captain Happy Birthday Dada… Light it, love it, live it… lots of love… @SGanguly99.”
Joining the chorus of well-wishers, Indian wicket-keeping batsman Dinesh Karthik hailed Sourav Ganguly as a legendary cricketer and an exceptional leader. Karthik posted on his Twitter account, “Many happy returns of the day to a legendary cricketer and a remarkable leader, @SGanguly99. Wish you the best always, Dada!”
On the occasion of Sourav Ganguly’s 51st birthday, the cricket community comes together to recognize his enduring impact on the game. Let us extend our heartfelt wishes to the man who redefined Indian cricket and ushered in a new era of triumph and glory.
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