Dada's bond with Chinnaswamy

Dada's bond with Chinnaswamy

Source: DNA India Date: October 14, 2008

BANGALORE: The Chinnaswamy stadium will always hold a special place in former India captain Sourav Ganguly's heart. Over the past one year, this is the place all the action has centered around for the Dada of Indian cricket.

It was at this very ground that Ganguly scored the only double century of his Test career last year against Pakistan. And, ironic as it may seem, it was here that he announced his retirement from international cricket a day before the first Test against Australia.

In a career spanning more than a decade, Ganguly has played 7 Test matches at Bangalore, scoring 503 runs at an average of 41.91, the December 2007 Test played here against Pakistan being the highlight of his career. He scored a dazzling 239 in the first innings, his highest Test score, and followed it up with a classy 91 in the second innings. He completely dominated the Pakistani bowlers in both innings, two of the best innings of his career, and got 330 runs, the highest ever he had scored in a Test match.

The superlative performance earned him the man of the match and the man of the series awards, in the process silencing his critics who wanted him to retire. But, as luck would have it, eleven months later, at the same venue, Ganguly decided to hang up his boots from international cricket.

Playing his last Test at the Chinnaswamy, Ganguly scored a gutsy 47 in the first innings to rescue his team from following on. In the second innings he walked in to bat for the last time at Bangalore, with India fighting for survival on the last day of the match. Ganguly made 26 cautious runs as he remained unbeaten along with Laxman to save India from defeat.

Earlier in the day, Ganguly, not known to be the best of fielders, was seen putting in the extra effort whether fielding at mid-on or at third man.

Even the spectators cheered whenever Ganguly got into the act on the field, as they know it's going to be his last appearance here. He has again emerged a hero at Chinnaswamy; things have come a full circle.

Quotes

Nobody is a born captain. Most of the time, I have gone on instinct.

- When his captaincy was criticized.

I know what I am. People can label me as they like but it upsets me to hear the word arrogant being used against me. I am not arrogant. Not at all.

- On being called arrogant.

He’s a champion at everything. I really admire him. I am very impressed with the way he approaches life.

- On Rahul Dravid.

The thing I like most about Sachin is his intensity. After being in the game for so long, he still has the same desire to do well for India in any international match. I tell you what, this man is a legend.

- On Sachin Tendulkar.

I am not surprised.

- On Sachin Tendulkar getting 10,000 ODI runs.

Now I was not only the Prince of Calcutta, but I was the monarch of Indian Cricket. I could not comprehend the feelings and emotions that were rising inside me.

- On being appointed captain.

I am here to win games not popularity contests.

- On being criticized by the English media while touring England in July 2002.

I see things differently after Sana’s birth. An event like this changes everybody and it has changed me too. I have become more mature.

- On the birth of his daughter, Sana.

We went around for a long time. She is a lovely person and now we are married and blessed with a beautiful daughter, Sana. She is a terrific woman and has adjusted to our joint family so well that she does not even have time for me! So it’s all happy on this front. "

- About his wife, Dona.

We obviously don't get support from outside, so we support each other and will continue to do so whatever happens in the rest of the tournament.

- On why the ‘huddle’ was invented during the World Cup.

After all the rubbish that was published in the media, I thought it was all over. It hurt very badly.

- Reflecting back on the disastrous Australian Tour in 1992 where media was full of stories on his attitude problems.

I enjoy captaincy. A Captain has to take the responsibility of guarding the interest of his players.

- After being named Captain of the Indian cricket team.

I have scored centuries in matches where Shoaib has bowled and to hear that I'm uncomfortable against him is rather surprising.

- Denying observations that he cannot face Shoaib Akhtar.

Every individual needs to be handled differently. One person might need a pat on the back. Another, an arm around the shoulder. But to seniors like Azhar, Sachin, Ajay, Anil and Javagal, a quiet word would do.

- On how he handles his superstar teammates

There have been angry reactions back home and that is understandable because of our poor showing against Australia. But true supporters are this who not only jump up with the team’s victory but also stand by the team in times of defeats. I was shocked and disappointed to hear what the families of Dravid and Kaif have gone through.

- About the reaction of angry fans back home after India lost badly to Australia in the early stages of the 2003 World Cup.

Achievments

Awards

Award	Year	Description
31 Man of the match in ODI	-	Click here for a detailed list
6 Man of the match in Tests	-	Click here for a detailed list
7 Man of the series in ODI	-	Click here for a detailed list
3 Man of the series in Tests	-	Click here for a detailed list
Sportstar Person of the Year	1998	Awarded by the Sportstar Magazine
Arjuna Award	1998	For outstanding performance in cricket
CEAT Cricketer of the Year	99-00	Cash prize of 5 lakh rupees and a trophy
CEAT Indian Captain of the Year	01-02	For outstanding achievement as leader
Award for Cricketing Excellence	2003	Presented to men who made "the difference"
Padma Shri	2004	4th highest civilian award in India
Rammohan Roy Award	2004	For outstanding performance as captain

Young Achiever's Award

2008

Presented to "role models" for young people

Castrol Batsman of the Year

2008

For being Asia's best batsman in 2007

Castrol Asian Cricketer of the Year

2008

For being the best cricketer overall in Asia in 2007.