Legendary Indian batsman Dilip Vengsarkar has opened up about former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and his words during the initial phase of his career. Vengsarkar revealed how Ganguly was once picked as the fourth batsman in India’s line-up.
Vengsarkar recalled the incident during the launch of the book ‘Fab Five The Pandavas of India’s Batting’ in Mumbai. Along with Dilip Vengsarkar, legendary cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar were also present at the event.
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Dilip Vengsarkar reveals Sourav Ganguly’s words during the initial phase of his career
During the initial phase of Sourav Ganguly’s international career, Dilip Vengsarkar revealed how Ganguly was chosen as the fourth seamer under seamer-friendly conditions in Australia in 1992. Ganguly had made his ODI debut in January 1992. Vengsarkar recalled his words during that time when a young Sourav Ganguly said that he wanted to bat as he was not a bowler.
“On that tour, he (Sourav Ganguly) was selected as the fourth bowler and was asked to go to the nets. After two deliveries, he said, ‘I am not a bowler and I want to bat’,” Vengsarkar was quoted as saying by PTI.
“Ganguly was told that he had been selected as the fourth seamer but he didn’t get any opportunities on that tour. After a few years, he was selected for the tour of England (in Tests),” he added.
Sourav Ganguly’s memorable Test debut
It took Ganguly four more years to make his first Test appearance in 1996 against England at Lord’s. He then scored a magnificent hundred on his Test debut against a strong England attack. Ganguly batted at No. 3 in that match and was also India’s only centurion in that match.
Ganguly scored 131 off 301 balls, a knock that was studded with 20 flashy fours. His cover drives were a treat to watch and it turned out to be a memorable Test debut for the youngster. Meanwhile, in the same game, Rahul Dravid also made his Test debut. Dravid scored a gutsy 95 and helped India take a first-innings lead.
Sourav Ganguly’s historic achievements
Sourav Ganguly turned out to be a very successful captain during his era. Under his leadership, India defeated a nearly invincible Australian team 2-1 in a historic Test series in 2001. The famous Kolkata Test in which India won despite trailing was also played in this series.
During the 2003 ODI World Cup, Ganguly led India to the World Cup final after a gap of 20 years. However, India faltered in the final as they lost to a Ricky Ponting-led Australia. Ganguly is known to have changed the attitude of Indian players. His aggressive attitude and will to win outside of local conditions helped India believe that they could win abroad as well.
Sourav Ganguly retired from international cricket in 2008. His last international match was a Test match against Australia in Nagpur, which India won comfortably in the end.