Sourav Ganguly, one of the greatest captains and batters in Indian cricket history, has made a lasting impact on the game.
Known for his leadership, over his 16-year international career, Sourav Ganguly was instrumental in revitalizing Indian cricket and changing the team.
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As the Prince of Kolkata celebrates his birthday today, let’s look at his eight remarkable records in international cricket.
1. Century on Test Debut
Ganguly made an unforgettable Test debut against England on June 20, 1996, scoring a brilliant 131 runs. Batting at No. 3 in the second innings, he became the 10th Indian batter to score a century on Test debut, helping India take a crucial lead.
2. Third-Most Successful Indian Test and ODI Captain
Ganguly became the first Indian skipper to record 20 Test victories, leading India to notable victories between 1999 and 2005. He captained India in 49 Tests, winning 21, making him the third-most successful Indian Test captain. In ODIs, he won 76 out of 146 games, also ranking as the third-most successful Indian ODI captain.
3. Second-Most ODI Runs in a Calendar Year
In 1999, Ganguly scored 1767 runs in 41 ODIs at an average of 46.50, with 4 centuries and 10 fifties. This impressive tally is the second-most ODI runs in a calendar year, just behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 1894 runs in 1998.
4. Second-Highest Number of ODI Centuries in a Year
Continuing his form in 2000, Ganguly scored 1579 runs, including 7 centuries, which are the joint second-most in a single year in ODIs.
5. 2000+ Runs in Four Calendar Years
Ganguly is one of the few batters to score over 2000 runs across formats in four different calendar years: 1997, 1999, 2002, and 2007.
6. Treble of 1000 Runs, 100 Wickets, and 100 Catches in ODIs
Proving his worth as an all-rounder, Ganguly achieved the rare treble of 1000 runs, 100 wickets, and 100 catches in ODIs. He scored 11363 runs, took 100 wickets, and grabbed 100 catches in his ODI career.
7. Highest Individual Score for India in ODI World Cup
Ganguly holds the record for the highest individual score for India in the ODI World Cup, with his 183-run knock against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup, leading India to a total of 373 runs.
8. Third-Most ‘POTM’ and ‘POTS’ Awards for India in ODIs
Ganguly won 31 ‘Player of the Match’ (POTM) awards and 7 ‘Player of the Series (POTS) awards in ODIs, ranking him third in both categories for India.
Sourav Ganguly’s contributions to Indian cricket are immense, and his records highlight his exceptional talent and leadership.
As we celebrate his achievements, it’s clear that his legacy in international cricket will continue to inspire future generations.
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