Ganguly captained India from 2000-2005, while Chopra is also a former India women's team captain.
Former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Anjum Chopra have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, Class of 2026, as announced by the ICC on July 11.
Sourav Ganguly made his India debut in 1992, but was dropped after mediocre performances and had to wait till 1996 for an India team recall. He made the most of his second chance, hammering a century on his India Test debut against England at Lord’s and followed it up with another century in the very next Test.
Ganguly went on to become a mainstay in Indian ODI and Test sides from then on and formed a deadly opening partnership in ODIs with Sachin Tendulkar. Ganguly was made India captain in 2000 in the aftermath of the match-fixing scandal.
He led India to the final of the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy, and India were the joint-winners of the 2002 edition. India also played the final of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa under Ganguly’s captaincy. His biggest achievement was making India a fighting team in overseas Tests, including a drawn Test series in England in 2002 and Australia in 2003-04. India won the Test series in Pakistan in 2004.
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— ICC (@ICC) July 11, 2026
A champion batter and a fearless leader, Sourav Ganguly is inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame ????️
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Ganguly had a lull period in 2005 and had a well-documented spat with then head coach Greg Chappell, but made a brilliant comeback in the Indian team in 2007 and continued till 2008, when he retired from all formats after the home Australia Tests.
“I am honored to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To have my name included among the cricket's greatest players will remain one of my most cherished moments. Representing India and playing along with several greats of the game has been a privilege, and to now be recognised in this way is truly special.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Jay Shah for this huge honour, which I consider the highest recognition a cricketer can receive. This game has given me a lot, and I hope to continue to serve the game in the years to come. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my near and dear ones for their support over the years,” Ganguly said as per the ICC website.
Ganguly made 7212 runs in 113 Tests with 16 centuries and 35 fifties, with the highest score of 239 against Pakistan. In 311 ODIs, he made 11363 runs at an average of 41.02 with 22 centuries and 72 fifties, with the highest score of 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1999 World Cup.
After retirement from international cricket, Sourav Ganguly also served as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal and the chief of the BCCI.
Former India women’s cricketer and captain Anjum Chopra was also included in the ICC Hall of Fame 2026. Chopra had made her India debut in 1995 and went on to play 12 Tests, 127 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the team.
She made 548 Test runs with four fifties, made 2856 runs in ODIs with one century and 18 fifties, with the best score of 100. She also made 241 runs in T20Is with a best score of 37*.
“As a kid growing up in a sporting household, I had heard stories of cricketing greats and momentous achievements. A dream to play for India was instilled very early on. I was encouraged to think big by my parents, teachers, and coaches, who have always been there to support me during tough times.
I also got the timely support of administrators as I went on to wear the national colors with great pride. This honour - to be recognised amongst the game’s greatest - is an award for all those who have helped shape my career. I am thankful to all of them and delighted to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame,” Chopra was quoted as saying by the ICC website.
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— ICC (@ICC) July 11, 2026
Dependable, tactical and a pioneer of women’s cricket in India, Anjum Chopra enters the ICC Hall of Fame ????️
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Throughout the late 1990s, Chopra played a crucial role at the top of India's batting order, occupying the crease and offering steadiness in difficult circumstances. He gained a reputation for being strong down the ground and was at ease against both pace and spin.
During one of the most important times in Indian women's cricket history, Chopra took over as captain in 2002. In Paarl, she guided the Indian women's team to their first Test victory abroad against South Africa.
In the 2005 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, which took place in South Africa, Chopra also had a significant impact. She was India's leading run-getter as she led them to the final. Chopra also became the first woman’s cricketer from India to be awarded an honorary life membership of the MCC back in 2016.
(ICC inputs)