Under Sourav Ganguly's firm leadership, Indian cricket reached new heights over a period of five years (2000-2005).
From qualifying to the finals of 2003 World Cup, sharing the 2002 Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka, winning the 2004 Test series in Pakistan and drawing Test series in England and Australia – Team India achieved it all and a lot more with Ganguly at the helm of affairs.
Recently, former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith weighed in over Ganguly’s greatness as captain, saying that the latter’s trait of giving it back to the opposition stood out.
“You knew if you poked Dada, you were going to get something back always,” Smith said on the Cricket Connected Show on Star Sports. “I have spent a fair amount of time with Dada now. Particularly in administration now, we are having a number of conversations over the telephone. He is always calm and approachable, always interested in a good conversation.”
Smith also recalled Ganguly's shirt-whipping celebration at Lord's after India won the dramatic Natwest Trophy final in 2002.
As per Smith, the celebration was synonymous to the fearless attitude Ganguly led the team with.
“I think all of us remember that celebration, it was a beautiful sight seeing Dada. More than anything besides the humour of it all, it was the passion that he showed in celebration,” CSA’s Director of Cricket said.
“It showed how much India winning meant to him and to overcome the challenge of winning the NatWest Trophy in England, to win away from home, driving Indian cricket forward. I think that shot epitomises everything we have discussed today. But I do have a chuckle every time I see it now. Also, Dada was running short on the hair side on those days, so it is a very humorous shot. But from a passion perspective, that speaks volumes about Dada.”
Having been appointed as the Proteas captain in the year 2003, Smith faced Ganguly as opposition skipper in a few games.
Narrating the experience of playing against the current BCCI President, Smith said the two went along well and Ganguly never made him wait at the toss, a treatment he dished out to Australia’s Steve Waugh in the 2001 series at home.
“No, he didn’t,” responded Smith when asked if Ganguly ever made his wait at the toss. “We had one or two moments when we were at each other a little bit. I was quite feisty in my youth as a captain and certainly we know that Dada never backed away.”
