Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
DID YOU KNOW?
A typical Cancerian, Sourav was very mischievous as a child.
He is a very quiet, almost aloof person.
He is a natural right hander and does everything, except bat with his right hand.
Sourav learned to play with his left hand from his elder brother, Snehasish, from whom ,he learned to play cricket.
Sourav was first selected in the Bengal Ranji team, at the expense of his brother, Snehashish.
He was born into a family that had everything, with the exception of royalty.
His home in Behala, Kolkata has 48 rooms and his family owns 32 cars (wow, that's a lot)!
He was petrified of dogs as a kid!
Sourav earns around 7 crores a year just from endorsements and charges 1 crore for each advertisement!
He is the second highest earning cricketer in India today, after Sachin Tendulkar.
Sourav and Sachin are one of the most successful opening pairs ever in one-day cricket!
There is an apartment complex in Kolkata, India which is named after Sourav. It is called the ‘Sourav Housing Complex'.
Sourav’s first love was not cricket. In fact, it was football and he admits, that even today, he’d rather watch football than cricket on TV.
Sourav wanted to be a football player, but he took up cricket because his elder brother was a cricketer.
Sourav’s favorite football position is that of a striker. He was in the football team instead of the cricket team till he was 13.
The first thing he does after checking into a hotel room is place a photo of his wife and daughter on the side table.
Sourav maintains a diary in Bengali.
Sourav is a very religious person and prays before every match.
His mother, Nirupa fasts innumerable times in a week for his well-being. She is a very strict displinarian but she always doted on her sons.
Sourav’s first coaching camp was when he was 15 years old, in the summer vacation.
Sourav still lives in a joint family that has over 50 members.
He loves his city, Calcutta especially during the Durga Festival.
A 1.5 km road in Rajarhat in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal is named after Sourav. He himself unveiled a plaque containing the new name of the road, Sourav Ganguly
Avenue, at a function organized by the Rajarhat Gopalpur Municipality.
Sourav recently signed a 60 crore deal with Percept de Mark for the next five years.
Sourav calls his brother, “dada bhai” which means elder brother in Bengali.
It upsets Sourav to hear people use the word “arrogant” against him. “I’m not at all arrogant,” he says.
After playing in two or three ODIs, Sourav was dropped from the Indian side, because of his “arrogant attitude".
Sourav doesn’t know what he would be if he wasn’t a cricketer. When asked about it, he just smiled at a loss of an answer.
When Sourav was young, his parents thought to make him an engineer or a doctor!
Sourav was in South Africa when his daughter was born. But thanks to the new technology, the proud father was able to download a picture of his wife and new born by the end of the day.
Sourav eats only vegetarian food on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Sourav is is very fond of Alu Posto and Chingri Macher Malaikari, both typically Bengali dishes.
Whenever he returns after a tour, he insists on having Alu Posto—a preparation of poppy seeds and potatoes—at his first lunch home. He is also very fond of the prawns in coconut milk preparation. Dona makes it a point to serve him this dish during his stays at home.
Following Tendulkar's footsteps, Sourav opened a three-storey restaurant, Sourav's - The Food Pavilion in Calcutta's posh Park Street. It was inaugurated by Sachin Tendulkar in 2004.
India have never lost a Test match in which Sourav scored a century.
Sourav's daughter's name, Sana means 'praise'.
Sourav is only the third cricketer in the world, along with Arvinda De Silva and Mahela Jayawarderne to score 100 and lead his team to the final of a World Cup.
Sourav loves his city, Kolkata and cannot even think of living anywhere else.
Sourav feels Kolkata's pride is the city's chief minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.
It is Dada's dream to bring Reliance's Anil Ambani and Sahara's Subrato Roy to Kolkata.
Sourav created the record of playing the most number of Tests (99) before getting a 200.
Sourav missed the rare feat of scoring a double hundred and a hundred in the same Test when he was out on 91 in the 2nd innings vs. Pakistan at Bangalore in December 2007. If he had gotten the 100, Dada would've been only the 2nd Indian after Gavaskar and 7th overall to do so.
Dada changes the numbers on his ODI jersey based on his mother's insistence.
Sourav was out for a first ball duck in his final Test innings and joined Don Bradman who had also fallen for a duck, although not a first ball one, in his last innings.
Captain Dhoni allowed Sourav to captain India in the final moments of his international career.
When India took the wicket on Mitchell Johnson to win a historic series, Dada was the acting skipper.
The day Sourav retired was exactly 8 years after he became India's skipper. It was on
November 10, 2000 that Dada was made captain and on November 10, 2008, he retired from international cricket.
Dada has played 311 ODIs and 113 Test in his career. The numbers are reverse of each other.
He is first of the Fab 5 (Dravid, Ganguly, Tendulkar, Laxman, and Kumble) of Indian cricket to announce his retirement.
FACTFILE
Full name: Sourav Chandidas Ganguly
Date of birth: 08 July 1973
Age: 36 years
Place of birth: Calcutta (now Kolkata), India
Speaks: English, Hindi, and Bengali fluently
Schools attended: St. Xavier's, Calcutta
Degree: MBA, St. Xavier's
Zodiac sign: Cancer
Occupation: Former captain and player of the Indian cricket team
Major Teams: Bengal, India, ACC Asian XI, KKR, Pune Warriors, Lancashire and Glamorgan (England)
ODI debut: India vs. West Indies at Brisbane, World Series, 1991/1992
Test debut: India vs. England at Lord's, 2nd Test, 1996
Last Test: India vs. Australia at Nagpur, 4th Test, 2008
Batting style: Left hand bat
Bowling style: Right arm medium
Height: 5'11'
Family: Parents - Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly
Sibling (s) - Brother Snehashish Ganguly
Wife - Dona Roy
Children - Daughter Sana (born Nov 3, 2001)
Greatest influences: Dad, Debu Mitra (coach), and cricketers Ravi Shashtri and Azharuddin
Address: 2/6 Biren Roy Road
Behala, Kolkata - 700 008
West Bengal, India
Martial status: Happily married to Dona Roy
Shoe size: 10
Car: Red Mercedes convertible
Mentor: Father, Chandi Ganguly
Favorite sport: Cricket and Soccer
Favorite cricketers: Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Steve Waugh
Favorite sportswoman: Steffi Graff
Favorite actor: Amitabh Bachchan, SRK, Abhishek Bachchan, and Soumitra Chatterjee
Favorite actress: Aishwariya Rai and Raveena Tandon
Favorite Soccer player: Brazillian soccer player, Pele
Favorite Tennis player: Pete Sampras and Leander Paes
Favorite movie: Sholay (Hindi)
Favorite foods: Biryani, Alu Posto and Chingri Macher Malaikari (Bengali dishes), Black Dal
Favorite holiday: London and Darjeeling
Favorite city: Calcutta and London
Favorite author: Satyajit Ray
Favorite car: BMW
Cricket philosophy: Look at someone who has a lot to learn. Be different and prove your
critics wrong
Philosophy in life: Be a good human being
Most relaxing thing to do: Watch his wife do a dance routine
Best moment: Daughter Sana's birth
Hates most about himself: Gets excited too quickly
Most embarrassing moment: Dancing with Hrithik Roshan for the Hero Honda advertisement
Impressed with: Steve Waugh's never-say-die attitude, and Rahul Dravid's attitude to life
Most valued cricket gear: First Test cap and first bat
Most prized possession: Daughter Sana
MAN OF THE SERIES IN TESTS
man of the series
Man of the Series awards in both form of games
3 Awards in Test cricket
# Series Season Series Performance
1 India in England Test Series 1996 315 Runs (2 Matches, 3 Innings, 2x100); 37.5-4-125-6
2 Sri Lanka in India Test Series 1997/98 392 Runs (3 Matches, 4 Innings, 2x100, 1x50); 7-4-19-0
3 Pakistan in India Test Series 2007 534 Runs (3 Matches, 6 Innings, 1x200, 1x50); 37-10-77-4
7 Awards in ODI cricket
# Series (Opponents) Season Series Performance
1 Sahara Friendship Series (Pakistan v/s India in Toronto) 1997 222 Runs (5 Matches & 5 Innings, 2x50); 48.5-8-160-15 (1x5 Wicket); 3 Catches
2 Pepsi Cup (Pakistan, Sri Lanka) 1998/99 278 Runs (5 Innings, 1x100, 2x50); 20-0-101-6; 2 Catches
3 DMC Cup (West Indies v/s India in Toronto) 1999 89 Runs (3 Innings, 1x50); 10-1-53-3; 1 Catch
4 New Zealand in India ODI Tour 1999/00 301 Runs (5 Innings, 1x100, 1x50); 18-3-95-2; 1 Catch
5 Zimbabwe in India ODI Tour 2000/01 264 Runs (4 Innings, 1x100, 1x50); 12-1-51-5 (1x5 Wicket)
6 India in West Indies ODI Tour 2002 136 Runs (3 Innings, 1x50); 3-0-20-0; 2 Catches
7 Sri Lanka in India ODI Tour 2006/07 168 Runs (3 Innings, 2x50); 8-0-43-1; 2 Catches
PLAYER OF THE MATCH IN ODI"S
man of the matches in odi
Match awards Award Bat1 Wkts Conc Ct St Opposition Ground Start DateAscending
RUNS: WICKETS
player of the match 83 - - 0 0 v South Africa East London 4 Feb 1997
player of the match 73* 0 24 1 0 v Bangladesh Colombo 24 Jul 1997
player of the match 32 2 16 1 0 v Pakistan Toronto 14 Sep 1997
player of the match 2 5 16 1 0 v Pakistan Toronto 18 Sep 1997
player of the match 75* 2 29 0 0 v Pakistan Toronto 20 Sep 1997
player of the match 96 2 33 0 0 v Pakistan Toronto 21 Sep 1997
player of the match 89 0 39 0 0 v Pakistan Karachi 30 Sep 1997
player of the match 124 0 5 0 0 v Pakistan Dhaka 18 Jan 1998
player of the match 80 - - 0 0 v Sri Lanka Colombo 19 Jun 1998
player of the match 54* 3 33 0 0 v Pakistan Toronto 12 Sep 1998
player of the match 107* - - 1 0 v Zimbabwe Bulawayo 27 Sep 1998
player of the match 130* 4 21 0 0 v Sri Lanka Nagpur 22 Mar 1999
player of the match 183 0 37 0 0 v Sri Lanka Taunton 26 May 1999
player of the match 40 3 27 0 0 v England Birmingham 29 May 1999
player of the match 54* - - 0 0 v West Indies Toronto 11 Sep 1999
player of the match 139 - - 0 0 v Zimbabwe Nairobi 1 Oct 1999
player of the match 153* 1 33 0 0 v New Zealand Gwalior 11 Nov 1999
player of the match 86 1 29 0 0 v New Zealand Delhi 17 Nov 1999
player of the match 141 - - 0 0 v Pakistan Adelaide 25 Jan 2000
player of the match 105* - - 1 0 v South Africa Jamshedpur 12 Mar 2000
player of the match 135* 0 35 0 0 v Bangladesh Dhaka 30 May 2000
player of the match 141* 1 5 1 0 v South Africa Nairobi 13 Oct 2000
player of the match 144 - - 0 0 v Zimbabwe Ahmedabad 5 Dec 2000
player of the match 71* 5 34 0 0 v Zimbabwe Kanpur 11 Dec 2000
player of the match 85 - - 1 0 v South Africa East London 19 Oct 2001
player of the match 86 - - 0 0 v Zimbabwe Mohali 10 Mar 2002
player of the match 107* - - 0 0 v Kenya Cape Town 7 Mar 2003
player of the match 111* - - 0 0 v Kenya Durban 20 Mar 2003
player of the match 90 - - 0 0 v England Lord's 5 Sep 2004
player of the match 90 0 21 2 0 v Kenya Southampton 11 Sep 2004
player of the match 59 2 26 0 0 v England Leeds 2 Sep 2007
MAN OF THE MATCHES IN TESTS
man of matches in test
5 Awards in Test cricketman of the matches in odiNO No Opponent Venue Season Match Performance
1 England Trent Bridge, Nottingham 1996 1st Innings: 136 (17x4, 2x6); 19.5-2.71-3
2nd Innings: 48 (8x4)
2 Sri Lanka Wankhede, Mumbai 1997/98 1st Innings: 173 (25x4, 2x6); 3-0-19-0
2nd Innings: 11 (1x4)
3 Sri Lanka Asgiriya, Kandy 2001 1st Innings: 18 (2x4); 17-5-69-2
2nd Innings: 98 (15x4); 10-4-21-0
4 Australia Gabba, Brisbane 2003/04 1st Innings: 144 (18x4); 1-0-8-0
5 Pakistan Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru 2007 1st Innings: 239 (30x4); 10-2-20-1
2nd Innings: 91 (12x4)
5 Awards in Test cricketman of the matches in odiNO No Opponent Venue Season Match Performance
1 England Trent Bridge, Nottingham 1996 1st Innings: 136 (17x4, 2x6); 19.5-2.71-3
2nd Innings: 48 (8x4)
2 Sri Lanka Wankhede, Mumbai 1997/98 1st Innings: 173 (25x4, 2x6); 3-0-19-0
2nd Innings: 11 (1x4)
3 Sri Lanka Asgiriya, Kandy 2001 1st Innings: 18 (2x4); 17-5-69-2
2nd Innings: 98 (15x4); 10-4-21-0
4 Australia Gabba, Brisbane 2003/04 1st Innings: 144 (18x4); 1-0-8-0
5 Pakistan Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru 2007 1st Innings: 239 (30x4); 10-2-20-1
2nd Innings: 91 (12x4)
DADA"S REMARKABLE CAREER
As a legend bids adieu to international cricket, here are all the records Sourav holds as he leaves the international scene.
TESTS
Sourav is the most successful Indian captain with 21 Test wins.
He has also captained India for the most number of Test matches, 49.
With 7212 runs, Dada is the fourth highest run getter in Test cricket for India.
He is one of the only 5 or so batsmen to score two hundreds in their 1st two Test innings.
His 131 on debut against England still remains the highest by any batsman on his debut at Lord’s.
Dada is only the 7th Indian to play 100 Test matches.
First Indian captain to win Test series in Pakistan in 50 years!
ONE-DAYERS
Dada is the first player to receive 5 consecutive Man of the Match awards in ODI (1997).
Sourav is one of the few distinct players to score a century and take 4 wickets in an ODI.
His 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup is the highest by an Indian in a World Cup.
His highest ODI score, 183 is along with Dhoni, the second highest score by an Indian in ODI.
Sourav shares the highest opening stand with Sachin Tendulkar, 252 against Kenya in 2001.
Dada and Dravid were the first pair to put up a 300-run stand in ODI.
The 300-run partnership with Dravid is also the second highest partnership ever.
Sourav is the fastest in the world to complete 6000 ODI runs, in just 152 matches.
He is also the fastest in the world to complete 7000 ODI runs, in just 180 matches.
He is also the fastest in the world to complete 8000 ODI runs, in just 208 matches.
He is also the fastest in the world to complete 9000 ODI runs, in just 236 matches.
Sourav was highest scorer in a calendar year for three years in 1997, 1999, and 2000.
Dada is only the 2nd captain after Kapil Dev to take India to a World Cup final!
With 22 ODI tons, Dada has the fourth highest number of 100s in the world.
He is only the second Indian captain to make 5000 ODI runs as skipper.
At his retirement Dada is the fourth highest run getter in the world and one of 8 to reach 10,000.
He is only the second Indian captain to make 5000 ODI runs as skipper.
At his retirement Dada is the fourth highest run getter in the world and one of 5 to reach 11,000.
He holds the record for the 2nd highest number of 100s in any calendar year, 7.
Also holds the record for the 2nd highest number runs in any calendar year, 1767.
Shares the record with Tendulkar for the most successful opening pair in ODI.
Only one of 4 Indians to play 300 or more ODI.
Sourav is only the 3rd player ever to score 10,000 runs and take 100 wickets in ODI.
First Indian captain to win ODI series in Pakistan in 50 years!
Dada holds the record for the most number of 200 run stands in ODI, 6 of them
BIOGRAPHY
The Monarch of Indian CricketSourav Chandidas Ganguly made his entry into this world on July 08, 1973 in Calcutta, the ‘City of Joy’, now Kolkata. He was born into a sports loving family and was the second of two sons born to Chandidas and Nirupa Ganguly. He was born into immense wealth, unlike many Indian cricketers, with the exception of royalty. His parents gave him the nickname of ‘Maharaj’ meaning ‘Prince’. Perhaps, they knew that their son was born to lead.
Sourav’s father, Chandidas Ganguly runs a flourishing printing business, the 3rd largest in Asia, that has helped make the Gangulys among the 5 richest in Kolkata. Even today, Dada's father is one of the major barons in the printing business in Kolkata. His palatial, joint-family home which has nearly 30 members in the Kolkata suburb of Behala has more than 45 rooms. There is suggestion of affluence everything in the Ganaguly household, from the palatial 4-storey building itself to the beautifully decorated rooms. The annual turnover of Sourav's family is nearly 80 crores, with just a profit of 40 crores!
As a child, Sourav was extremely mischievous, a typical Cancerian one could say. His brother Snehashish (nicknamed Raj) was born five years before him and became an accomplished left handed batsman. Though Sourav is a natural right hander, he learned to bat with his left hand from his brother, Snehashish. Sourav does everything else, including writing and bowling with his right hand. Convenience was one of the reasons for Sourav to become a left-handed batsman as he could then use his brother's cricket gear.
For someone who is one of the best cricketers of contemporary times, it would come as a surprise to many of Sourav’s fans that cricket was not his first love. Like all people who dwell in the city of Kolkata, Sourav’s first sporting passion was football. But like most Indian kids, he had to make the difficult choice between academics and sport and his mother wasn’t very supportive of Sourav taking up cricket or any sport as a career. But Snehashish, who was an established cricketer for Bengal only strengthened his brother’s resolve to be a cricketer and he asked his father to get Sourav enrolled in a cricket coaching camp during Sourav's class ten holidays.
For a young man who used his brother's cricket gear during practice, it was indeed ironical that he replaced his brother in the Bengal cricket team and consequently, Snehashish was dropped. And thus, Sourav began a glorious cricketing career.
Sourav made his debut in international cricket way back in 1992 during a tour Down Under. But unfortunately, the 19-year old played in just one match against West Indies at Brisbane in which he failed to make an impression, and hence, was dropped from the side. A young Sourav had to face more than just the frustration of being dropped after one opportunity. Rumors of his attitude problems and lack of respect for the senior players hurt Sourav the most. There were also reports in certain newspapers that Sourav refused to carry drinks on the field for a senior cricketer, which he denies till date. He was given a raw deal on his first tour when some prominent cricketers tagged him to be ‘arrogant’ and a ‘
boy with no cricketing talent’. He was ignored for well over four years and many thought that his days as an international cricketer were numbered.
A few years later, however, Sourav came back strong and more determined than ever to make his mark in the world of cricket. He made his debut along with his good friend and now vice captain, Rahul Dravid in the 2nd test vs. England at Lord’s. Sourav amazed cricketers and critics alike when he smashed a century in his debut Test.
He went on to score a century in the very next innings as well. More success came his way when Sourav was named ‘man of the series’ in his Debut. Weeks after his successful tour of England, Sourav eloped with childhood sweetheart Dona Roy. All hell broke lose when the the families of Sourav and Dona heard learnt about the secret wedding. However, both families reconciled and a formal wedding was held in February 1997. Happily married, Sourav and Dona are proud parents of a girl named Sana, born in November 2001.
Sourav hasn’t looked back since his debut and today, he has many records to his name including that of the highest score in a World Cup and is the 2nd highest century getter in ODI after teammate Sachin Tendulkar. He is also referred to as 'the golden arm' in the Indian team as his gentle medium pace bowling has given India many a vital breakthrough in one-day cricket. In Test matches today, he, Rahul Dravid and the great Tendulkar form the core of the Indian batting line up.
This man is revered in his home town where he enjoys a God like status. But that is the price one has to pay for being a celebrity in India. If people in Kolkata come to know that Sourav is home, there is a huge crowd that gathers at the gate of his palatial home. As likeable as he is, Sourav also has been firm enough to let overbearing fans and prying media persons know that he deserves and needs his share of privacy. Sourav prefers a quiet evening alone with his wife rather than have photographers and lensmen chasing him all over Kolkata. Sourav is also a deeply religious person and observes a fast every Tuesday.
No one had thought that a lad ridiculed as a non talent, brushed off as being high headed, accused of showing disrespect towards seniors and having attitude problems would one day lead the Indian cricket team. Yet, Sourav Ganguly is now in the hot seat as the captain of the Indian Cricket team. Sourav was appointed as captain when Sachin Tendulkar, shocked everyone by stepping down from his captaincy after India’s disastrous tour Down Under in 1999. As vice captain to Tendulkar, Sourav was the most obvious choice.
Sourav began well as captain, leading India to a series win over South Africa in the 5 match one day series. He really
started coming into his own as the leader of the Indian Team in the ICC Knockout trophy, where he led India to the finals.
Sourav felt that every young player should play two years of domestic cricket before being selected for international assignments. He also said that every newcomer should be given at least five games to prove himself. Perhaps, he being at a receiving end of a raw deal that threatened to ruin his international cricket career enabled Sourav to understand the insecurities of other newcomers in the team better than his predecessors. Sourav backed the youngsters in the team tremendously and thus, gained the love of his teammates.
Sourav also was not shy of taking on responsibility. He showed that he can be a leader of a team, which has greats like Sachin and Dravid in the side, without any problems. Under Sourav's leadership, India got back the winning habit which the team had forgotten.
Today, Sourav Ganguly is the most successful Indian captain leaving Mohammed Azharuddin’s previous record of 14 test wins behind. Sourav has won 21 Tests as captain, of which more than 7 wins have come overseas! His success rate is an amazing 42%, the highest ever by an Indian captain.
Under his captaincy, the Indian team achieved remarkable heights, including the Test series win against Australia at home in 2001, reaching the World Cup Final in 2003, and winning both the one-day and Test series in Pakistan in 2004.
In just a few years, Sourav rewrote the rules of captaincy. Unlike some of his predecessors, he was impartial, non-parochial, and forever pushed his players to perform better. Off the field, Sourav’s interactions with the media, his fans, and detractors were uncompromisingly honest and earned him the respect of cricket followers everywhere. His 5-year reign
as India's most successful skipper came to an end in October 2005 when vice-captain Rahul Dravid was given the hot seat.
Sourav Ganguly is not just the ‘Prince of Calcutta’ but he is also the ‘Monarch of Indian Cricket’.
Sources: Sourav – A Biography, Sourav - A Fire Within, IndiaTimes and HT Cricket
DADA WEDS THE DANCING QUEEN
Maharaj weds the Dancing Queen
This is the typical Hindi film love story of Sourav and Dona Ganguly.
We don’t know if it was the result of his schooling in St. Xavier’s or because of any special message he gleaned from the Bible, but Sourav took the Christian adage, ‘Love thy Neighbor’ a bit too seriously. He took this instruction to completely new heights when he fell in love with Dona, whose family lived next door to the Gangulys. In fact, the Ganguly and Roy households share a common boundary wall in their Behala neighborhood.
Dona was a student of Loreto Convent. Sourav always took a drive around Dona’s school, hoping to see her. Even if he didn’t see Dona, just the thought of her being around brought a huge smile to his face.
But like every great romance, theirs too was marked with difficulties. Sourav’s family was against intercaste marriages. Moreover, though their families were once business partners, somewhere down the line, problems in business had soured their relationship, giving rise to lasting bitterness. Thus, in true Romeo and Juliet style, an alliance of any sort between the two families was strictly unacceptable.
Sourav and Dona grew up together and managed to keep in touch through secret meetings even after the split. Even as the two families kept their distance, Dona watched Sourav play cricket and Sourav attended her dance recitals. Dona was in class XII when things became serious between them. But the couple had to do everything to keep it a secret not only because their parents were conservative, but also because their fathers, who were best of friends at one time, had suddenly become sworn enemies.
When the news of Sourav and Dona’s romance reached the Ganguly household, they made it very clear that they wouldn’t
approve of a non-Brahmin girl as their daughter-in-law. Sourav was undaunted by his family’s disapproval and continued with the romance. However, he kept is as secret as possible. Sourav always knew that Dona was the woman for him.
Those days, Sourav was busy carving a niche for himself in the world of cricket while Dona was pursuing dance. She is a student of legendary guru, Late Kelucharan Mahapatra and her dream was to become an Odissi dancer. Today, she is an accomplished Odissi dancer with numerous credits to her name and also runs her own dance school in Kolkata. Both Sourav and Dona were focused about their respective careers and wanted to get married only after becoming successful in their chosen areas of specialization.
Finally, the time came when they decided to go ahead with their plans of tying the knot. This was immediately after Sourav returned from his triumphant Test debut at Lord’s. The whole city was rejoicing along with the Ganguly household. Sourav thought this was the opportune moment and confided in Moloy Banerjee who is a highly respected cricketer from Bengal and told him about his plans. Banerjee, personally very close to Sourav, was initially apprehensive about going against his family. He later agreed and as he says, “I can’t say no to Maharaj.” When Dona was asked who proposed to whom and when, she immediately replied that its too private a matter to be disclosed. Sourav later disclosed why he went against his family to marry Dona. "I realised that I couldn't stay away from her any more and I didn't care what the elders felt".
On the appointed day, Sourav and Dona arrived at Banerjee’s home in a south Kolkata colony. From there, they drove to the registrar’s office and as luck would have it, Banerjee was the first to step in. There, he saw the place teeming with photographers and enthusiastic fans. He realized that somehow, the news of Sourav’s marriage was leaked out and if they weren’t careful, the next day’s papers would be splashed with the wedding photos. Banerjee decided that the best thing to do would be to smuggle the registrar along with the official documents and conduct the ceremony somewhere else, where the media would leave the celebrity couple in peace.
The registrar was made to collect all necessary papers and made part of the entourage, which now headed back to the Banerjee house. The wedding formalities were completed and thus, Sourav and Dona were formally married. The marriage took place in the living room of Moloy Banerjee’s home, on August 12, 1996. The fact that Sourav had eloped with his childhood sweetheart and neighbor caught both families unaware. When they married, Sourav was 23 and Dona, just 20 years of age.
It was essential that neither the families nor the press found out before Sourav left for Colombo, two days later. The idea was for Sourav to be out of the country when the news broke, so he and Dona won’t be hounded by the media. And so, the plan worked, even though the media got a wind of it before Sourav’s departure.
Shyam Sunder Gupta, the marriage registrar who got the young couple married commented that Dona looked extremely happy but Sourav seemed ‘terribly scared of what he had done and the effect it would have on his family, especially his father’.
When the news reached their families, all hell broke loose. After a while, their anger subsided and they went ahead and accepted the decision made by their headstrong son.
A lavish, formal wedding ceremony was conducted on February 21, 1997 and this time, no attempt was made to stop the photographs from reaching the front of the newspapers! This is the day when Sourav and Dona celebrate their wedding anniversary. For Dona, Sourav is still the next-door neighbor, her best friend, with whom she fell in love later. She says that she fell in love with the man, not the cricketer.
It has been 10 lovely years now since Sourav and Dona got married, and the melodramatic start to their life together seems aeons away. Both of them are pursuing their respective
careers with full ardency and devotion. Today, they are also very proud parents of a girl named Sana, (born November 3 2001). In fact, their entire world revolves around the seven-year old. Their marriage has been able to withstand all pressures, be it Sourav’s hectic schedule or rumors appearing in film magazines. Thus, the love story of the Maharaj and the Dancing Queen has had the perfect ending.
Sources: Sourav – A Fire Within, Sourav: A Biography, and Shaadi.com
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
GOODBYE MAHARAJA
Goodbye Ganguly :
Because when you announced your retirement, you said "Hopefully we will end up on a winning note". We did.
Because you were the only guy referred to as the royal Prince and the high-street bully "Dada" at the same time.
Because when you scored that classic debut century at Lord's, some thought you will be a one-knock wonder. At Trent Bridge, you stunned them all again with a double barrel.
Because when you played those heavenly cover drives, Rahul Dravid said "There is only God and then Sourav Ganguly on the off-side". Maybe even the Almighty would have just moved to mid-on.
Because you took over as captain when match-fixing clouds hung over, but you made the right bets for the team.
Because with Sachin Tendulkar, you made ODI opening a treat for Indians, and a nightmare for the opposition. It was left right, left right, alright.
Because when Andrew Flintoff ran naked chest on national display at Wankhede, you lost your shirt.
Because when the Oz threatened you with chin music, you played hip-hop with them at Brisbane hitting a majestic hundred.
Because you never quite understood the logic and rationale behind being dropped even after scoring 10000 runs plus in ODIs and in good nick. You are not good at reading whodunits.
Because they burnt your effigies and hurled stones at your team in 2003, and then you led India to the finals of the World Cup in South Africa.
Because you discovered youngsters, groomed, encouraged and inspired Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Zaheer, Irfan and MSD to become our future heroes.
Because you suffered the humiliation from Greg Chappell and several critics with humility, dignity and grace.
Because you proved that the word "age" is not a four-letter word.
Because when axed, you concealed your hurt and disappointment, went and played local tournaments and sneaked back into the team. Then Johannesburg happened. Your fairy-tale return had happened.
Because you have redefined the word, comeback. And grit. And determination. And fighting spirit. And leadership. And many unmentioned superlatives.
Because MSD seems to have taken the leadership baton from you, for the good of Indian cricket.
Because you never traded your self-respect, and when they dropped you for the Irani Cup, you said---Enough!
Because you taught Indians to fight back, not turn around in defeat.
Because even 7000 Test runs and 10000 ODI runs is sometimes insufficient to measure your heroics for Indian cricket.
Because the 2001 series win against Australia marked a historic victory in one of the greatest series ever. You were India's captain.
Because if it exasperated Steve Waugh, you let him wait for the toss.
Because hopefully, we will still see you in black shining armour, Prince, for the KKR in IPL next year.
Because on the Lord's balcony, we discovered that you were not six-abs-pack.
Because at Nagpur this time, you had the last laugh, and India, the last hurrah. The final frontier is recaptured.
Because you did a Pepsi ad for your team, even as you stood silently alone in Kolkota.
Because you will not be ever seen in whites again. Scoring runs, bowling those deceptive medium pacers. And perhaps, even misfielding.
Because your fans will borrow from a new TV ad, and say "We miss you so much, it hurts".
Because it is time to let you go home to your family, and friends.
Because now you can watch colleagues like Sachin and VVS and Ishant on the television like all of us.
Because tomorrow morning you will join Gavaskar, Vishwanath, Bedi and Srikanth as a "former" player.
An ex.
Because you can now perhaps play football as well at Eden Gardens.
Because it's time to say good-bye.
Because you did us proud.
Because you never gave up.
Because if you don't deserve the salutations from us all Indians, who does?
REACTIONS ABT DADA'S RETIREMENT
“Just one last thing lads, before I leave, I just want to say that this is going to be my last series. I’ve decided to quit. I’ve told my teammates before I’ve come here. These four Test matches are going to be my last. Thanks for all your support and hopefully we can end on a winning note.”
These words marked the end of an era for one of India’s greatest cricketers. It also spurred many a reaction from former cricketers, to colleagues, to cricket pundits around the world. Here are all the reactions…
It’s hard to come and watch a cricket match from the stands. So enjoy the last four days… You’ve been fantastic and it’s under you that we learnt to win Tests abroad. We cherished your batting. You had the opportunity to do everything possible on the field. All the best in your retired life! Thanks for your support. - Anil Kumble
It was under Sourav’s captaincy and when John was the coach that I re-emerged as a batsman... The team too went from strength to strength 2000-01 onwards. Sourav and John changed the team’s thinking and we became more confident. Sourav’s contribution as captain won’t be forgotten. He backed match-winners. As a batsman, well, he has been a great performer. Anybody with over 7,000 Test runs and over 11,000 runs in ODIs has to fall in that category. - VVS Laxman
I have always backed Ganguly who has been performing to the best of his abilities. Unfortunately, only Ganguly was not picked for the Rest of India team (in the Irani Trophy). That should not have happened. - Syed Kirmani
Sourav’s 7000 was very special. He is going out there and enjoying the game… He is not under any pressure. He is playing his shots and you want Sourav to play like that. He is very different from the others. - Dhoni on Dada's performance in the Mohali Test
It came as a surprise as he told us in the dressing room that he was quitting. He's had a brilliant career and I for one have thoroughly enjoyed playing with him. There have been some memorable moments that he has given to the game and also the immense joy he has given to the team. -Sachin Tendulkar
What more could he have asked for? He's seen it all. Played some fascinating knocks in one-dayers; batted well in Tests at home and away; won Tests abroad and led India to a World Cup final. It's been special to have been part of a middle-order alongside him. I hope I learnt something from him and added something to his cricket. - Rahul Dravid
I think any sportsman would like to go out on his terms. Sourav is a great servant of Indian Cricket and has proved to be a great leader, especially away from home. I remember the series against Australia (2003) where his innings helped India draw at the Gabba. He has been a catalyst for change and upward mobility for Indian cricket. Any great player leaving will leave a gap but that also means an opportunity for a youngster. - Brian Lara
Ganguly had a superb career as a cricketer. He was an outstanding captain and a great player. I suppose all great careers have to end at some time or the other. Probably the fact that he had to play for India A following his selection in the Test team might have triggered the decision. He should leave with a hundred, in a blaze of glory... That will please all of us. - Dilip Vengsarkar
It was no doubt a big decision by him. He probably wanted to go out on a high and the series against Australia provides him a great opportunity. - Kiran More
When Sourav discussed his plans with me and other teammates of his, I was truly shocked. I think he has served the country exceptionally well. I personally think he has taken the right decision at the right time. I only hope he goes on a high by helping his team beat the world champions at home. I congratulated him and what else could I do when a man who has given so much for the country and for the game decides to quit. Ganguly has served the country well and it is now time for him to go and let us keep it at that. – Chief of selectors, Krish Srikanth
I'm quite surprised. But at the same time, I think it's a good decision. There could be no better decision than this. He has done wonderfully well for the country. So a dignified exit was imperative on his behalf. He has played cricket successfully, he has led the side successfully; 12 years of an illustrious career. He had a huge impact on some of the players, he created Yuvraj, had a great influence on Harbhajan Singh's career. Arguably he is one of the best captains we have had so far. He proved himself beyond anybody's doubt. – Javagal Srinath
He could have played for more time. He showed tremendous mental toughness by making a comeback. It was Ganguly who instilled this no-fear attitude in Indian cricket, which has seen the team scale new heights. If he has taken this decision then there should be some problem attributed to this. – Inzamam-ul-Haq
We all enjoyed his batting and his passion for the game. I would not mourn his retirement but would recall the joy he gave us all with his game. I hope he plays a gem of a knock against Australia and makes us proud. We are anyway proud of whatever he has done for the country. - Kapil Dev
It (Ganguly's retirement) will certainly create distractions. The decision takes pressure off Sourav but puts pressure on some other and the Indian players. I'm sure the crowd in India will be eager to come out and see Sourav play his last Tests. - Ricky Ponting
It is a sad day for Indian cricket that he has decided to retire. But he has taken a brave decision and he will go as one of the 'icons' of Indian cricket. - Shoaib Akhtar
He took over the captaincy at a very difficult time when they had a leadership void in their cricket. And he was one of most inspirational captains. He has taken the right decision because only he knows the situation he was facing. But his contribution to Indian cricket is immense. - Mohammed Yousuf
I would like to celebrate his retirement, rather than mourn it because of his enormous contribution to Indian cricket. A great player, a legend of the game has hung up his boots and we all should celebrate his contribution. - Bishen Singh Bedi
I really feel he had a few years of cricket left in him. But perhaps it’s the player who knows himself best. But I know Ganguly as one of the most resolute players. His elegance as a batsman is of high class. At one point of time he used to be called the God on off-side. I am sure everybody will miss the Bengal Tiger. His contribution had been immense to international cricket. He was a batsman of pure class. - Mohammed Azharuddin
He was a big asset to Indian cricket and he had lot of leadership qualities. But if he has decided to retire I think he knows what is right for him now. - Shoaib Malik
He has left his mark on Indian cricket and he will be remembered as a very successful and astute captain. - Aamair Sohail
I am surprised to hear this. He was the top performer some time ago. I really feel he had a few years of cricket left in him. - Anshuman Gaekwad
It is an important moment in Indian cricket. It is a good decision he has taken and at the right time.People will now know this is the last time they will be watching one of their favourite cricketers. It's a moment every big name in cricket deserves. I take my hat off to Ganguly for what he did to Indian cricket after 2000. he was a leader who gave India a lot of belief after what was a difficult stage in Indian cricket. That is Ganguly's contribution to Indian cricket for which he will be remembered. -Sanjay Manjrekar
It seems that there is more than his ability as a cricketer which has prompted him probably to take this decision, then that is very unfortunate. It is expected to be shown due honour at least and nobody should have a feeling that he has been treated in a manner which has prompted him to call it a day sooner than one would have been happy to. - Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee
I was taken aback, surprised too. There’s definitely a sadness attached to the decision but all good things have to come to an end. When you think of it rationally, it is a good decision because a player of his magnitude and stature should go out on a high. I wish and pray he has the series of his life against Australia. Not for anything else, but only because he deserves it. I was a fan then and am a fan now. - Arun Lal
The good thing is that despite his strong presence and influence he had the courage to take the correct decision. His decision to retire at this stage would set a good precedent for other senior players. He brought a lot of fighting spirit to the Indian team and he made them believe they are world beaters. He backed his players to the hilt and that is the sign of a great captain. - Haroon Rasheed
I feel it’s a very good decision. I still remember the day when he was selected for the England tour in 1996… It’s been a long journey… Long 12 years… He has taken a great decision after a successful career in all three forms of the game. I feel after Sunil Gavaskar, his (Sourav’s) will be another graceful retirement. - Sambaran Banerjee
Frankly it did not come as a surprise to me. He’s a thinking cricketer. These cricketers know their bodies well. He must have thought deep and consulted people whom he trusts and then decided. -Chandu Borde
I have no immediate comment regarding this. - Jagmohan Dalmiya
Personally I feel very down after hearing this. But professionally speaking, I would like to mention that this is a timely decision. - Deep Dasgupta
It’s a big loss for the game. A vacuum is created when a cricketer like him retires. - Current selector Raja Venkat
Ever since he made his Test debut, people have raised fingers over Ganguly's inclusion in the side, and it has remained to date. So one can sympathise with his feelings that he has always been singled out during selection issues. His outburst is understandable. - Sunil Gavaskar
I am a big fan of Ganguly. I didn’t like the way Ganguly was made to retire. I know he was obviously struggling for the past couple of years but he deserved more respect. - Swedish golfer Daniel Chopra
Each person knows when the time comes to retire. Sourav believes the time is now. Not many players get the great fortune to call their own ending and coincide it with a major series at home. Sourav has been an incredible performer and servant to Indian cricket. I’m pleased that he has got this opportunity to script and perform his last chapter. - John Buchanan
It must be very frustrating for Ganguly’s fans. Yet, their hero has played 109 Tests, led in 49 and finishes as India’s most successful captain. It is an impressive record. I suspect posterity will treat Ganguly much better than his contemporaries did. - Suresh Menon, Cricinfo
I believe the decision has come very early. I feel that he still has at least two years of cricket left in him. The news comes as saddening to me. He has been a legend for Indian cricket, the most successful captain. I hope he departs on a good note. – Dada’s Coach Debu Mitra
He has made the right decision, as he will go out gracefully now and be remembered with respect and admiration. Indian cricket will miss his strong will, character and presence in the dressing room.- Ramiz Raja
I feel really hurt when a senior player is treated like this. It is unfortunate. We have given our heart and soul for the game. Don’t we deserve a better farewell. Senior player is next to coach. In our country people remember one bad performance and forget past nine good shows. They constantly criticise you. Same thing happened with me and now with Sourav. - Dhanraj Pillay
"SOURAV A ODI GREAT" SAYS GAVASKAR
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Nagpur: Sourav Ganguly will go down as a great one-day player but the same cannot be said of the stylish left-hander in Test cricket as he lacked consistency, says former India captain Sunil Gavaskar."I think at the one-day level, he is a great player. With the number of runs he has made, the number of man of the match awards he won he is right up there. But at the Test level, he was just a level short because he was not as consistent," Gavaskar said of the Bengal player, who bid adieu to international cricket today.
In fact, Gavaskar feels India will find another Ganguly some time later but what the team would struggle for is a replacement for spin legend Anil Kumble.
"It is not easy to replace Kumble or Ganguly. Their experience is invaluable but I believe Kumble is going to be harder to replace with his 600 wickets then Ganguly. But we have got the talent," he told CNN-IBN.
And among the youngsters who have impressed him most, Gavaskar rates pacer Ishant Sharma as the best.
"I think Ishant is going to be very special. This is what was spoken about Kapil Dev and Javagal Srinath. Let's take Kapil out because he is the greatest. But the deliveries like the slower one which Srinath learnt after four or five years of international cricket, Ishant has learnt in just one year of playing," he said.
"He is learning new balls and with that kind of head on his shoulders, he is going to take a bagful of wickets. He will not let a lot of opening partnerships flourish," he added.
There is no dearth of talents like Ishant in Indian cricket, says Gavaskar, but what the team needs for becoming as intimidating as the West Indians of 1980s and the Aussies post-90s is more consistent performances. "Talent wise India has everything. Temperament wise they have to toughen up. I would like to see them as ruthless as the Windies were in 80s. There is a touch of sloppiness in the Indian team which they have to get rid of," he said.
"We have beaten the world champions but consistency is the only thing that make us number one," he added.
And the man who can ensure such consistency is new skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, says Gavaskar.
"The baton has been passed on to the youngsters. Today the man of the match was a 20-year-old (Ishant) and we have a captain who is young and energetic. Dhoni is brilliant and I think Indian cricket is on the rise," he said.
Gavaskar said by giving the seniors a warm farewell Dhoni has shown his fresh approach to leadership.
"When he made Sourav captain for those last few moments or when he lifted Kumble on his shoulders in his last match, Dhoni showed enormous respect to the seniors. He recognised their contribution. It's a good sign of a young cricketer who has his feet on the ground," he said.
DADA"S INTERVIEW TO NDTV AFTER RETIREMENT
I was one of the most misunderstood captains: Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly might have ended his career as India's most successful captain but in an exclusive interview with NDTV, the left-hander exclaimed he was misunderstood during his stint as the captain of the team.
"Of course, I was. I have been completely misunderstood. My role on the field was taken of as the same credit as off the field. Whereas, off-the field I am a completely different person," Ganguly said after bidding adieu to international cricket.
Ganguly defended everything he did on field by saying that the sole purpose of his actions was to take India on the top of the world cricket map.
"For me getting Indian cricket on the world map was the most important thing. I felt it was my responsibility to do it and I could see a team with me who could do it.
"So, I had to do everything which would make India a proud cricketing nation and that's what happened," he told NDTV in an interview.
THE CONTINUING GANGULY SAGA
The continuing Ganguly saga
This is a tale - unfinished so far
Of a fiery cricketer - a lode star
An attacking player... with elegance to match
India's most successful Captain - and in the 10,000 (ODI) runs batch
For a man who has done so much for Indian cricket
Isn't it bizarre he's always on a sticky wicket
For a cricketer who has plundered 18,000 + runs (Test and one-day combined)
Not to mention the 22 one-day tons
It's ironical that he has to fight his way back
Battle the odds and ignore the flak
This story has had many twists and turns
But 'Dada' keeps his end up - the fire fiercely burns
Let's now take guard and take stock
The 'hitherto' Ganguly Saga' lets unlock
We'll examine the issues - such as they are
What the critics fall back on, in trying to pull down this star
'Dalmiya's man' - he was dubbed
Shouldn't he with Sachin, Sanath, Inzy - be clubbed? (10,000-ODI-Runs Select Club)
His place was assured in the team - they say
Thanks to his 'Godfather' - come what may
Then - may I ask the public this
Whose are the runs - Dalmiya's or his?
Some other 'crimes' - charged to his name
Shows dissent - slows down the game
Unfit - fakes injuries - late for the toss
Lazy - princely - ask Freddie Flintoff!
Some tag the word 'Parochial' to him
Ironical that memories can be so dim
Wasn't it Ganguly - the 'new broom'
(Who swept away zonal politics)
Exciting 'Indian' talent he did groom
Talent that he picked and backed
A 'fighting spirit' in the team was packed
He turned the Indian team around
Battle it out- stand your ground!
This took Indian cricket to new heights
Putting up some of the great fights
(Remember Eden Gardens…Barbados…Headingley…Adelaide…Chennai…Lords-NatWest?)
Won matches at home and away
Won accolades for the way we play
Then there's the talk about 'green tops'
Facing fast bowling Ganguly 'hops'?
From the quicks he shys away
Then how on earth did he flay
The opening bowlers in the one-day game
Dispatching them - on his way to fame
Some more chat - that he detests
'Chin Music' in the Tests
May I refer all - to the Brisbane Test
The Aussie quicks at their furious best
'The Wall' and 'The Little Master' fell
Sounding for the tour - a 'death knell'?
But out came striding the Captain bold
Unleashed his repertoire manifold
Leading from the front - at Brisbane
Treating the Aussies - with disdain
Thus at the 'Gabba' - of bounce and pace
Ganguly - to a 'setting-the-tone' century did race
From the 'Brisbane heights' to the 'Chappell era lows'
The Prince has stoically taken many blows
No 'fair-weather' friends - his legion of fans
They believe in him - he vindicates their stance
Experience, resolve - and the 'Ganguly' knack
Was behind the dramatic 2006-7 comeback
Sachin-Ganguly-Dravid-Laxman-Kumble - our Magical Five
Contrary to 'death-knells' - they are still very much alive
Currently the 'Fab Four' may not be at their batting best
All credit to a tre'mendis' display by Sri Lanka in the Tests
But if old Hayden and Hussey and Sanath are still around
Why should our 'younger' 'Seniors' not stand their ground? (didn't Leander Paes?)
'Out of form' - is how we dismiss and dispatch
Don't all great batsmen go through a rough patch? (Ponting is still around)
The press doesn't often bother to tell all
In the minds of the greats - Ganguly stands tall
Ask Gavaskar, Boycott, Bhogle - to name a few
His county (Glamorgan) also gives him his due
"An outstanding professional" - was the Glamorgan call
He's as committed as the 'Wall'
Not for power - or for pelf
It's cricket that spurs him on - improving himself
At 'sixes and sevens' - but not for long
At 'sixes and fours' - is where he still belongs
There are few better sights than the southpaw's grace
"God of the off-side" - is how he stays!
PS: I am a long-time cricket follower, a current 'interning' lawyer and a non-stop supporter of the Indian Cricket Team. (Particularly of 'Dada' and the Seniors). And I am not a Bengali !!
