Sourav Ganguly recalled batting great Sachin Tendulkar’s words after he notched up a hundred on his Test debut at Lord’s in 1996.
Sourav Ganguly, regarded as one of the best left-handed batsmen of his era, made his debut at the Lord’s in 1996 and announced his arrival in style by scoring 131 and became only the third player to score a century on Test debut at ‘Home of cricket’.
Ganguly was then later named the Indian captain and with his leadership skills, he led the county to great heights in the game of cricket. The 48-year-old is currently the president of BCCI and is successful in his administrative role as well.
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Speaking to Star Sports, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said that Lord’s has always been a happy hunting ground for him ever since making his debut there. He added that during his first match it was good that India fielded first as he was awe-struck by the whole occasion.
"Not many get to play their first Test at Lord's and I remember fielding at point a packed stadium at the Lords. And it has always been a happy hunting ground for me every time I have gone back since my debut. I was in awe of walking down the long room on the first day and luckily we fielded. Otherwise, as a batsman, I was supposed to bat at No.3," Sourav Ganguly told Star Sports.
Ganguly said that scoring a hundred on Test debut with the stadium being jam-packed, cheering for every shot was special for him.
"I got a 100 on a Saturday, which is probably the best day for Test cricket, with every seat being full. It was my Test debut and get to a 100. They say it can't get better and the mindset of that Test match was remarkable. At the back-stands you get cheers for every shot you hit and then finishing at tea time on a 100 was special," he said.
Ganguly recalled that at tea on that day he was mentally exhausted after scoring a hundred and Sachin Tendulkar told him to relax and have his cup of tea as he was wrapping tape around his bat handle.
"I remember, during the tea, I was batting at 100 and I was mentally tired more than physical because, first hundred, the emotions, the happiness, the highs make you tired as well. I was putting tape around the bat handle because it has just started to soften up, because of the bounce and the ball hitting at the top of the handle.
“I remember Sachin coming up to me and saying you relax, have your cup of tea. So, I remember those moments I walked into the dressing room and everybody was standing outside the dressing room to cheer me, because of my achievement," he said.
Sourav Ganguly further said his journey since making his debut in 1996 to BCCI president has been amazing. He added that he considers himself fortunate for being able to play a successful administrative role after his playing days.
"The entire journey, making a debut in 1996, getting a 100 at Lords. Then in few years, getting to captain India, getting to build a team probably people rated as good as anybody in the world with the successes. Then giving the captaincy off to somebody and still being a part of the journey of winning matches and seeing the national team develop, becoming a force all around the world which started under your captaincy.
“And then being in an administrative role, trying to change the game. I feel very fortunate that during my tenure as a president, India won in Australia, 2-1, in a remarkable series. It has been a fantastic journey and as a sportsman, as a cricketer, you don’t expect anything better than this," he concluded.
(Star Sports inputs)
