Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, also known as "Dada," is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national team. He is widely regarded as one of India's most successful captains, having led the team to several notable victories both at home and abroad.

Ganguly was born on July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, India. His father, Chandidas Ganguly, was a wealthy businessman, and his mother, Nirupa Ganguly, was a homemaker. Ganguly grew up in Kolkata, where he attended St. Xavier's Collegiate School and later St. Xavier's College.

Ganguly began his cricket career playing for his state team, Bengal, in the domestic circuit. He made his debut in the Ranji Trophy in 1989 at the age of 17 and soon established himself as a prolific batsman. In 1992, he made his debut for the Indian national team in an ODI against the West Indies.

Ganguly's career took off after he was appointed captain of the Indian team in 2000. He led the team to a historic victory against Australia in the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which marked the beginning of India's dominance at home. Under his leadership, India also reached the final of the 2003 World Cup, where they lost to Australia.

Ganguly was known for his aggressive captaincy and his ability to inspire his team. He was also a formidable batsman, with a career batting average of 42.17 in Tests and 41.02 in ODIs. He was particularly known for his elegant stroke play and his ability to dominate the opposition.

Ganguly retired from international cricket in 2008 but continued to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He also served as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal from 2015 to 2019. In October 2019, he was appointed as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the governing body of Indian cricket.

As BCCI president, Ganguly has been credited with bringing in several reforms aimed at improving the Indian cricket system. He has also been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games and has been instrumental in India's successful bid to host the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Ganguly's contributions to Indian cricket have earned him several accolades, including the Arjuna Award in 1998 and the Padma Shri in 2004. He was also named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 2002 and was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2020.

In conclusion, Sourav Ganguly is a legendary figure in Indian cricket, who has left an indelible mark on the sport both as a player and as an administrator. His aggressive leadership style and his elegant stroke play have inspired a generation of Indian cricketers, and his contributions to Indian cricket will always be remembered