The movie will delve into Ganguly’s journey from being a cricketing sensation in Kolkata, showcasing his emergence as a talented batsman, to becoming one of the most…
1/11Excitement is building around Rajkummar Rao’s upcoming film, Dada – The Sourav Ganguly Story, which chronicles the life of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. Renowned for revolutionizing Indian cricket through his vision and leadership, the film traces Ganguly’s journey from a prodigious talent in Kolkata to one of cricket’s most impactful players. (Image X) In this article, we highlight 10 key moments in the cricketer’s life that the biopic might feature.
2/11Debut at Lord’s (1996) | At 24 years old, Ganguly achieved his dream debut at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, becoming the first Indian player to score a century in his opening match. He tallied 131 runs against formidable bowlers like Dominic Cork and Chris Lewis. (Image YouTube)
3/111999 World Cup Excellence | Ganguly’s 183 runs off 158 balls against Sri Lanka in a World Cup match at Taunton mark a significant achievement. Partnering with Rahul Dravid against the Sri Lankan bowling attack, this performance stands as one of the highest individual scores by an Indian in World Cups. (Image YouTube)
4/11Taking Captaincy (2000) | Assuming leadership in 2000 during a challenging period for Indian cricket, Ganguly fostered opportunities for emerging players and instilled a mindset shift in the team. He captained in 49 Tests and 146 ODIs, securing 21 and 76 wins, respectively. (Image X)
5/11The Kolkata Miracle (2001): In the early 2000s, a dominant Australian team faced a stunning defeat as India secured a historic 2-1 Test series victory at Eden Gardens, famously breaking the visitors’ 15-match winning streak. (Image X)
6/11NatWest Victory (2002) | Another pivotal moment in Ganguly’s life was his iconic shirt-waving celebration from the balcony after India achieved a remarkable chase of 326 runs against England in the NatWest Series final at Lord’s. Dada, a leader, celebrated this tremendous victory. (Image X)
7/11Memorable Pakistan Tour (2004) | Matches between India and Pakistan are often thrilling. In 2004, India toured Pakistan and after a 1-1 tie in two Test matches, the decisive game in Rawalpindi saw India triumph by an innings, enhancing Ganguly’s popularity and support among fans. (Image Facebook)
8/11Conflict with Greg Chappell (2005) | The well-publicized confrontation between Ganguly and coach Greg Chappell in 2005 marked a tumultuous period for Ganguly, leading to his removal from captaincy; however, he later made a notable return to the team. (Image Reuters)
9/11Sourav Ganguly’s Resurgence (2006) | Following his dismissal, Ganguly focused on domestic cricket to regain his place in the national team, ultimately making a remarkable comeback with a solid 51 against a challenging South African bowling lineup in 2006. (Image Reuters)
10/11IPL Journey with KKR | Ganguly solidified his legacy as the ‘Prince of Kolkata’ in T20 domestic cricket, becoming the inaugural captain of Kolkata Knight Riders. Ahead of the 2019 IPL, he joined Delhi Capitals as a squad mentor. (Image Instagram)
11/11Leadership in BCCI | Post-retirement, Ganguly smoothly transitioned to cricket administration, becoming president of the Cricket Association of Bengal from 2015 to 2019 before being unanimously elected as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022, influencing crucial decisions throughout his tenure. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg under Luv Films, the biopic is slated for release on May 14, 2027. (Image Reuters)
