The Final Curtain

A legendary batsman today decided to hang up his boots after a final battle with the Aussies in his own backyard. I couldn't believe my ears and thought my dad was pulling my leg when he said that Saurav Ganguly has officially announced his retirement. So I flipped through the news channels and was not ready for what I saw. It was true. One of the four jewels of the famed Indian middle-order has announced his retirement.

I write this hoping wondering 'why?', But I know that it was a wise design as only he knows when. The aggressive lefty was the most successfully and probably the most influential captain India ever had and will have for a long time. Ganguly will leave behind a lasting legacy when he walks back on the 10Th of November in Nagpur having played his last game. Former Indian skipper Azharuddin also agrees with me and said, "I am really surprised to hear this. He was the top performer against Pakistan some time ago ... I really feel he had a few years of cricket left in him. But perhaps it's the player who knows himself best."

The attacking left-hander had a dream debut in the summer of 1996 scoring a century(136) announcing to the world a new era was starting. Even to date his 136 remains the highest score scored by a batsman on his debut. Ganguly followed this with another ton at Trent Bridge announcing the arrival of the Prince. In May 1999 'Dada' scored his highest in ODIs (183) in Taunton against Sri Lanka in the World Cup, it was the highest score by a Indian then. And in the September 1999, he was awarded the greatest honour - to lead the Indian team. Ganguly made his captaincy debut in the Coca-Cola Singapore Challenge tournament. July 2002 was a memorable year etched in any Indian's memory. It was the year Saurav led India to victory in the Natwest series against Freddy Flintoff's team. Him taking of his shirt in the Lord's balcony and waving it around signalling the successful conquest will always remain in my mind. 2003 was a test for Ganguly as he was battling to regain his form yet he led India to the finals of the World Cup in South Africa. A united India under Ganguly reached the finals first time since 1983 and would have taken the cup had it not been for Ponting. In 2004 he became the first Indian captain to win a test series in Pakistan and also became the most successful Indian captain with 15 test wins. In November 2005 the Prince's 5 year reign as over the Indian team came to an end followed by him being unceremoniously sacked from the team. Many speculated the end was nigh (I was one of the many who thought I would never see the Prince pelting the ball through off-side again with his glorious stroke-plays.). But it was not to be. After 16 months, He made a fairytale come-back to the Indian team and returned from the South African tour as the highest run-getter. He scored 98 in his come-back ODI match in Nagpur against the West Indies and hence got selected in the Indian world cup team of 2007. Ganguly stood tall against Bangladesh with a watch full half-century as the other batsman around him collapsed. He returned from the Indies being the second highest run-getter. He scored 249 runs at 49.80 in India's series win in England to cement his place in both Test and ODI squads in the autumn of 2007. He smashed his first double century and got man of the series against Pakistan scoring 534 in the Nov-Dec months of 2007. And now in October 2008 he decides to call it a day.


The Bengal Tiger had a amazing ability to send the ball through the off-side and was known to play spinners well. Muralitharan was one of the spinners whom he looked to attack and usually succeed in lofting him over the mid-wicket fence. Ganguly was also an awesome captain who stood by his team a hundred percent. He also gained the respects of his team mates and also his rivals. The south-paw always loved challenges and his determined come-back in South Africa show his undaunted spirit and his willingness to fight even when all odds are against him.

Ganguly is India's most successful left-hander and has amassed 6,888 runs in 109 tests at a average of 41.74 with 15 centuries. In the ODIs he had a better time in the top order scoring 11,363 runs in 311 matches at an average of 41.02 with 22 tons. Ganguly also bowls brisk medium pace and is known as a partnership-breaker. He has 100 wickets in the shorter format.


I'd like to wish Ganguly all the best and hope he enjoys his last outing against the kangaroos. Your legend will always remain with every fan and so will your wonderful memories. Thank you for entertaining and captivating your fans (including me) for the last 15 years. I wish you all the best for the future. Farewell Ganguly.

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