KOLKATA, July 8:
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly turned 44 today and birthday wishes poured in from all quarters for one of the country’s most celebrated cricketers.
‘#HappyBirthdayDada’ trended on Twitter for the former batsman, who was the most successful Indian captain before the feat was surpassed by the present limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Indian head coach Anil Kumble, a former teammate and captain, was among the first to wish Ganguly on his official twitter handle, “‘Happy birthday @SGanguly99! May the almighty shower lots of love and blessings!'”
Former Test opener Virender Sehwag, who feels Ganguly sacrificed the opening slot for him, also followed suit: ‘HappyBirthdayDada @SGanguly99. May you keep on helping India wave our flag high,just like u waved ur shirt at Lords.’
Ganguly’s another famous teammate Yuvraj Singh also wished “cricket’s biggest Dada”.
“Sourav Ganguly is the one who asked Virender Sehwag to open the batting in Test Cricket and rest is history…”
“Here’s wishing a very Happy Birthday to former #TeamIndia captain @SGanguly99 #HappyBirthday Dada,” the BCCI wrote in its official Twitter handle.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also wished Ganguly on twitter. “Wish you all the success and happiness in life.”
Credited for changing the image of Indian cricket — ‘being tigers at home and lambs overseas’ — Ganguly took charge of the Indian team following the match-fixing scandal in 2000 succeeding Mohammad Azharuddin.
Ganguly’s fans also celebrated his birthday at the Behala residence of the ‘Prince of Kolkata’ by cutting cakes.
A 10-kg customised cake with photo of Ganguly talking on phone sitting on the Eden Gardens outfield was specially prepared by his fan club run by Santanu Saha Cricket Academy.
“We celebrate his birthday in a grand way since 2001 (when he beat Australia) and Ganguly always obliges by cutting the cake,” Santanu Saha said surrounded by Ganguly’s fans. (PTI)
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