Sourav Ganguly, one of the greatest Indian captains ever, turned 51 on Saturday. While Ganguly has scored 18,575 runs across 424 international cricket matches, including over 7,000 runs in Tests, his stronger format was ODIs. While Ganguly has scored 18,575 runs across 424 international cricket matches, including over 7,000 runs in Tests, his stronger format was ODIs. Ahead of his birthday, Ganguly shared a collage of his pictures with the caption: “The support & love keeps us going. Few more hours to go …”. Irfan Pathan, Ganguly’s former teammate, pointed out that one of the images in the collages was that of him. “Daadi I never knew that we look so similiar while batting that you will get confused;) But Thank you i will take that as a huge compliment,” he tweeted.

Daadi I never knew that we look so similiar while batting that you will get confused;) But Thank you i will take that as a huge compliment pic.twitter.com/odsj2aa5En

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 7, 2023

Sourav Ganguly, widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian captains ever, celebrated his 51st birthday on Saturday. Throughout his career, Ganguly amassed an impressive total of 18,575 runs across 424 international cricket matches, with over 7,000 runs achieved in Test matches. However, his strongest format was One Day Internationals (ODIs). As his birthday approached, Ganguly shared a collage of his pictures on social media, expressing gratitude for the support and love he has received. One of the images in the collage featured Irfan Pathan, his former teammate, who jokingly remarked on their striking resemblance while batting.

Ganguly’s contribution in Test cricket includes playing 113 matches, scoring 7,212 runs at an average of 42.17. He achieved 16 centuries and 35 half-centuries in 188 innings, with a highest score of 239. He ranks as the seventh-highest run-scorer for India in Test cricket. Notably, Ganguly scored a century on his Test debut against England at Lord’s in 1996.

Ganguly captained India in 49 games, resulting in 21 victories, 13 defeats, and 15 ties. He is regarded as one of India’s top captains, with a victory percentage of 42.85. Under Ganguly’s leadership, India conquered Australia 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2001. The second Test in Kolkata, where VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid staged an incredible comeback, is widely regarded as one of India’s strongest comebacks in cricket history and one of the most enduring moments in Ganguly’s career. India’s first-ever series triumph on Pakistani territory occurred in 2004, with Ganguly guiding India to a Test series victory. Additionally, India defeated Pakistan in the ODI series.

Ganguly played 311 ODIs for India, scoring 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02. In 300 innings, he amassed 22 centuries, 72 half-centuries, and a highest score of 183. Ganguly ranks ninth in the list of highest ODI run scorers globally and holds the third position among Indian players. He was notable for becoming the third-fastest player to reach the milestone of 10,000 ODI runs as well as the fourth-fastest to score 7,000, 8,000, and 9,000 runs. Furthermore, Ganguly was the second-highest ODI run-scorer for the full year of 2000 thanks to his outstanding performance. He participated in 32 ODIs, amassing 1,579 runs at an average of 56.39, with a top score of 144, seven hundreds, and six fifty-pluses.

As captain in ODIs, Ganguly led India in 147 matches, securing victory in 76, suffering defeat in 66, and encountering five matches that produced no result. His win percentage in ODIs stood at 51.70. Under his captaincy, India reached the finals of the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy for the first time, and in 2002, the final ended in a shared title with Sri Lanka due to rain abandonment.

Among Ganguly’s most memorable moments was when he famously removed his shirt and waved it on the Lord’s balcony during the Natwest Trophy finals in 2002, symbolizing India’s remarkable victory over England. He also led India to the World Cup finals in 2003, where they narrowly lost to Australia in the championship game.