The man who lifted a downtrodden Indian team from the dark world of match-fixing, Sourav Ganguly, is widely considered one of the greatest captains to have played the Gentlemen’s Game. Often described as ‘God of offside’, Ganguly’s engrossed himself in the world of nostalgia as he turned 50 years old on 8th July, 2022.
Though no one knows what someone was in the previous life or what he/she would be in the next, Sourav just wants to be a left-handed batsman if he is reborn in the next life.
“I just want to be a left-handed batter in my next life again,” said Dada in an interview with News 18.
Ganguly also opened up about his career, both as a cricketer and an administrator. When asked what changes has he observed in the game from the time when he used to be a cricketer to now when he is the chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“Drastic changes,” Ganguly said in response. “First Tests then One-day, then T20 – the pattern has changed. When I started, the standard of cricket was very high which is more or less the same as of now but what has improved the most is the infrastructure. Now it’s completely modern. I remember my first international series in 1992 (Australia), I was paid Rs 30,000 for the entire tour. Now one player is getting Rs 1 to 1.5 crores for a single tour. So, it has changed and of course for the better.”
For many cricketer lovers in the country, Ganguly remains the face of struggle and the epitome of positivity. When asked about the reasons behind his motivation, Ganguly said that it has all been about giving 100% to every task for him.
“Believe me, I don’t look at it as a struggle. Few days ago, during a programme I was talking about how I end up giving hundred percent towards each and every responsibility that comes my way. If I am not completely devoted then I am not doing justice to it (the task). I am also a human so maybe three-four times out of 10, it may not come off as intended but the effort will never be less than 100 per cent,” he asserted.
