Kolkata: Cricket fraternity from Sachin Tendulkar to Virat Kohli on Wednesday greeted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president and former Team India skipper Sourav Ganguly on his 48th birthday.Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar in a tweet massage said, "Happy birthday Dadi! Hope our off-field partnership keeps going strong like our on-field ones. Wish you a blessed year ahead."
Team India captain Virat Kohli tweeted, "Happy birthday dada. God bless you."Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif said, "From a fine batsman to an outstanding captain & now leading Indian cricket on the whole-here's wishing my favourite captain & mentor @SGanguly99a very happy birthday. But FAULADI SEENA dikha ke aise kaun chadhta hai, Dada #HappyBirthdayDada."
International Cricket Council (ICC) in a tweet said, "Happy birthday to one of India's most successful captains, Sourav Ganguly."Veteran cricketer VVS Laxman tweeted, "Many more happy returns of the day@SGanguly99 . May you taste ever more success and receive more and more love. Have a great day and year ahead #HappyBirthday Dada."
Cricketer Pragyan Ojha said, " Happy birthday dada! From a great captain to a brilliant administrator, you have donned them magnificently. Hope you continue your good work for the betterment of Indian cricket... Godspeed. @SGanguly99 #HappyBirthdayDada."
Cricketer Shreyas Iyer tweeted, "#HappyBirthdayDada Always looked up to your relentless attitude @SGanguly99".Kuldeep yadav said, "A legend of Indian cricket. As a leader you always led from the front and motivated so many Indians to play the game fearlessly. Happy Birthday Legend @SGanguly99
Shikhar Dhawan in a tweet said, "You've taken Indian cricket to new levels! Best wishes on your birthday, Dada @SGanguly99#HappyBirthdayDada."Harbhajan Singh said, "Happy birthday dada @SGanguly99 wish you the best going forward.
Rishabh Pant tweeted, "Stylish, elegant and classy. Happy birthday Dada @SGanguly99 . A legend of Indian cricket and one of greatest players to play the game."Bhuvneshwar Kumar said, " Happy Birthday Dada!! Wish you lots of happiness and joy on your special day. Indian Cricket is lucky to have you at the helm of it. @SGanguly99".
Suresh Raina tweeted, "Happy Birthday Dada @SGanguly99.The man who
revolutionalized Indian cricket. Your contribution to cricket both as a player, and a captain
will be admired by the generations to come! Have a fabulous year ahead."
Hardik Pandya said, "Happy birthday Dada! Loads of good wishes and love on your big day @SGanguly99 #HappyBirthdayDada Parthiv patel in his massage said, Dear dada, Thank you the guidance, leadership, and endless support.. @SGanguly99 ..happy birthday.
Sreesanth tweeted, " Happy birthday Dada @SGanguly99 ..u have been a great inspiration for me from the time I've played cricket. The real captain who showed us the way to move forward with no fear,u have alwys believed nd supported the very best. Alwys grateful to u nd family #respect #love #cricket."
Woman Cricketer Jhulan Goswami in a tweet said, "#HappyBirthdayDada! Wishing you a day filled with happiness and a year filled with joy."Athlete Hima Das tweeted, "Wishing a very happy birthday to the most dynamic personality of Indian cricket dada @SGanguly99 #HappyBirthdayDada #SouravGanguly.
Born on July 8, 1972, Sourav, affectionately known as Dada, one of India's most successful captains, has been a powerful guiding-force to every cricketer. 'The Prince of Kolkata' announced his Test arrival in style by scoring a century on debut at Lord's.
Ganguly took over as captain from Mohammad Azharuddin in early 2000 and injected a much needed aggression in the team, which was missing earlier. He re-build the side with some fresh faces, including Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag, Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh, setting up a platform for the team to take charge.
Ganguly's first major final was when he led India to the final of ICC Knockout Cup in 2000 in Kenya when India faced New Zealand and unfortunately lost after Chris Cairns' brilliant match-winning knock. His captaincy continued to flourish when India became joint ICC Champions Trophy winners with Sri Lanka in 2002, marking his first ICC tournament win.
But, one of the famous wins under him came during the Natwest series in the final in 2002 when India made an unbelievable comeback against England.
After struggling at 146-5, India chased down 326 and went on to produce an emphatic victory with the help of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif brilliance, after which 'Dada' celebrated by
taking off his shirt at the Lord's balcony.
In 2003, beating all the odds, Ganguly's in-form battalion reached the final of the ICC
World Cup, making it happen for the second time in India's cricketing history after1983. Up against unbeatable Australia, India couldn't do much and lost the final but proved to the world that a new Indian team with new approach is in the making.
At last, his career ended in 2008 when he decided to retire from International cricket
after the home series against Australia.Under Ganguly, the 'Men in Blue' played 146 matches. They won 76 matches, andlost 65 matches, while 5 matches went into a no result.
Dada's ODI's win percentage was at 53.90.He also guided the team in the white jersey to 21 wins, of the 49 matches he led. HisTest side lost 13 and tied/drew 15 matches, making his Test win percentage 42.85.
He is regarded as one of the best captains that have led the Indian cricket team.Ganguly also has a keen interest in football and co-owns Kolkata's Indian Super League Franchise, Atletico de Kolkata along with Harshavardhan Neotia, SanjivGoenka, and Utsav Parekh, which won the inaugural season in 2014.
West Bengal Government honoured Ganguly with the Banga Bibhushan Award on
May 20, 2013.He was also awarded the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian awards in India, in 2004.(UNI)
