First Blog on Dada

There was a time when me and my friends would bunk classes to watch the historical series of India and Pakistan. Ganguly was the captain who lead india to a 3-2 victory over Pakistan in Pakistan. And now the "Dada" has left the field of cricket for the last time. There are thousands of articles and epitaphs written on Sourav Ganguly. So, heres one more to the collection.

The man, the Legend, the Offside God, has left the cricket field. No Doubt he will be missed but he went out with the style he is known for. Firstly, the annoucement of his retirement in a news conference, at the very last minute. "And yes, before I forget, this will be my last series". Secondly, A last innings duck and many would say, "What a crap..!! How can someone score a duck on last innings.". But to many he has joined an Elite Club of batsmen who were out in their Last innings for a duck. He will always be compared for his this feat with the great Sir Donald Bradman.

He formed one of the most destructable opening partnerships with Little Master. Even while batting his effortless sixes over Mid-on and his elegant strokeplay through the offside were simply mersmerizing. I can just sit the whole day long just to watch those shots. His famous incident as written out everywhere was taking his shirt off in the balcony of the Mecca of cricket and shouting 4 letter word. He never held back his emotions. Ganguly was the captain who believed in his players and followed his Gut instincts. Sometimes, I feel after the appointment of Greg Chappel he wasn't shown the respect that the Indian Cricket team captain deserved. He was selected and thrown out of the team as if he was an extra player who was of no value. But the "Dada" was not to take the Dadagiri and went head on with the coach and showed him what he was all about. "King of Comebacks" came back in style at the South African series and started performing at his best again.

After about 6 months to 1 year, Indian cricket won't be the same. With Sourav "Dada" Ganguly and Anil "Jumbo" Kumble gone. It time for Rahul "The Wall" Dravid, VVS "The Charismatic" Laxman And Sachin "Little Master" Tendulkar to leave the field. Me and my generation have missed the exploits of Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev but we were born during the period when Indian cricket was reconstructing itself under the leadership of Ganguly to play as "Men In Blue". Before the rule of Ganguly, Indian cricket was thought to be "Zonal" cricket when it was perceived that Indian team was divided into zones Indian team was under the cloud of match fixing and in a sorry state when the captainship was handed over to Dada. Under the reign of Dada, Indian cricket scenario transformed itself from zonal cricket to "Team India". Indian dressing room was united and the team which was not winning games out of Indian subcontinent was giving tough fight to all and started winning outside India. Team was changing itself and was able to show that by reaching the World Cup 2003 finals. I would proudly say that I watched cricket in an Era of Ganguly. Now, it will be a "Change of an Era". May be its time to move on. Ganguly will not only be remembered as the "Best Captain of Indian Cricket Team" and Great player but also, for all the wonderful moments that he gave us to cherish for the rest of our lives.