As the off spinner took a catch of his own ball, an era came to end for Indian cricket. Whatever you might call him, Sourav Ganguly, Dada, Prince of Calcutta; he has as many names as facets to his personality. He according to me is the most flamboyant cricketers, ever to play for the sport.
Whatever the critics had to say about him, he was the most successful captain India produced and was a magician when it came to batting on the off side. His cover drives has and will always bring a smile to my face. He was in the face and spoke his mind, never took things lying down and strongly believed that “if you throw a brick at me, I will throw a house.”
He took over as captain at a time when controversies marred Indian cricket and changed it completely. He was the one who showed confidence in the youngsters who started their careers under him and became great match winners for India in the time to come. From Sehwag to Yuvraaj, and from Zaheer to Harbhajan were all groomed under him and have been the biggest force for team India in recent past.
He had an eye for talent and a shrewd cricketing mind. He was a task master and believed in giving it back to his detractors. When he was not in the best of forms and everyone said that he should be dropped from the team, he said, “I haven't scored runs for many innings but I know I'll get over it. I need to play matches and get runs. I have to work on getting my form back and I won't get it back by sitting at home.” Typical Dada!
The Blue Huddle was invented by him, he brought the team together, no offence to anyone but before him becoming the captain it felt like the Indian team was a team of serious men, after him it became a team of spirited and world achieving young boys. I think it was a change for the better.
I get goose bumps when I think back about him taking his shirt off and waving it over his head and that too at Lords of all the places. Wining the Border Gavaskar trophy in 2001 in India and then retaining it in 2003 while visiting down under and so many away test victories in almost all the countries overseas, reaching the world cup finals in 2003 are a few of his achievements. The biggest achievement was the change of attitude he brought about in the team.
I just wish him all the very best for the future, it bought me so much pleasure to know that he will be taking up the job of a cricket commentator, and will be making his debut during the Ashes this month. I might just tune in to hear him speak about the aussies and the brits.
I will miss you sorely Dada. Have a great life ahead god bless you.
