Sourav Chandidas Ganguly

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly
Born: 8 July 1972, Calcutta 
Major Teams: Bengal, India, Lancashire. 
Known As: Sourav Ganguly 
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat 
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium

  Saurav Ganguly, the Prince of Calcutta has a fan following of millions and that is justified 
  considering the number of winning knocks he has played for India. His batting is the perfect 
  blend of elegance and power. He has all the traditional style that goes with left handed 
  batsmanship. He is also a superb/ perfect timer of the ball. The manner in which he steps out 
  and pounces on the ball, like a tiger on a hapless prey, is something to be enjoyed on the spot. 
  He is one of the most aggressive Captain India has ever had and has emerged as one thekey 
  components of the Indian team. His ability to play shots on the off side is special because there 
  are very few players who can hit the ball in that area as crisply as he does. He is an aggressive 
  left-handed batsman and is also an effective (right-handed) medium pace bowler. He tarted his 
  international career as a 19 year old during the tour to Australia in 1991-92 where both his ability 
  and attitude was questioned. His recall for the 1996 tour to England was severely criticised as 
  one of the evils of India's "quota" system. But he answered that in style by not only scoring 
  centuries in his first two Test innings but also capturing vital wickets to bag the Man of the 
  series award. Still he was considered fit only for the Test matches because of his inability to 
  play onside strokes. He worked on that problem and became a household name in India after the 
  Sahara Cup in Toronto where he won several matches for India against Pakistan. Besides 
  several superlative batting performance (including 75* in 75 balls), he exploited the conditions to 
  return some excellent bowling figures (including 5-16). He is often criticised for his running 
  between the wickets and if he works on that, the way he has worked on his leg-side then he will 
  definitely become a formidable force in the World of Cricket
His batting is the perfect blend of elegance and power. He has all the traditional style that goes with left handed batsmanship. With superb timing he almost caresses the ball to the boundary. But when the mood gets to him - particularly in the one day game - his batting can be a murderous assault on the bowlers and a delight to the spectators. The manner in which he steps out and pounces on the ball, like a tiger on a hapless prey, is something to be enjoyed on the spot. 

But then Sourav Ganguly is not just strokes and class and powerful batting. He has a sound temperament and the ability to rise to the big occasion. Only a person who is mentally strong could have responded in the manner he did to widespread criticism to his selection for the tour of England in 1996. When he first went as a teenager to Australia in 1991-92 he was far from ready for the big time, despite his manifold gifts. By the time of his comeback, a mixture of talent and hard work had made Ganguly capable of the dream feat with which he launched his Test career. Since then, it has been impossible to envisage an Indian team in both forms of the game without him. On the strength of his figures and undoubted class, he has taken his place as among the `Big Three' of the Indian batting order. Few would deny him his place as probably the greatest Indian left hander of all time. And in the last year, he has also proved himself to be a tough, no nonsense captain. A record of four wins and only one defeat in his first six Test matches as captain - including a memorable series triumph over the formidable Aussies - augurs well for him as a leader. 

Test Debut: India v England at Lord's, 2nd Test, 1996 
ODI Debut: India v West Indies at Brisbane, World Series, 1991/92