Sourav Chandidas Ganguly, also known as "Dada" or "Prince of Kolkata," is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in Indian cricket history, having led the team to numerous victories and having a major impact on the development of Indian cricket.
Ganguly was born on July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. He began his cricketing career at a young age, playing for various clubs and schools in the city. He made his debut for the Bengal cricket team in 1989 and quickly made a name for himself as a top-order batsman.
In 1996, Ganguly made his debut for the Indian national team in an ODI match against West Indies. He had a slow start to his international career, but he soon found his footing and became a mainstay in the Indian team. He made his Test debut in 1996 and played his first World Cup in 1999.
Ganguly's leadership skills were on display early in his career, as he was appointed vice-captain of the Indian team in 2000. He took over as captain in 2000, following the resignation of Mohammad Azharuddin, and led the team to numerous victories.
Under Ganguly's captaincy, India reached the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup and won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20. He is also credited with helping to develop a number of young and talented players, such as Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Ganguly was known for his aggressive captaincy style and his ability to lead from the front with his batting. He scored over 11,000 runs in his international career, including 22 centuries in Tests and 21 centuries in ODIs.
In addition to his cricketing career, Ganguly has also been involved in various business ventures and has served as a commentator for various cricketing events. He was also elected as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2019.
In conclusion, Sourav Ganguly is a cricketing legend and one of the greatest captains in Indian cricket history. His contributions to the game, both as a player and a leader, have had a lasting impact on Indian cricket and have helped to shape the future of the sport in the country.