Page 237 - IPL1

who split opinion. But the bottom line was that he oversaw
some of the most successful results in his country’s history.
Under his command, India won 21 out of 49 Test matches with
12 of the victories away from home – India’s traditional Achilles
heel. His successes included India’s first series wins in both Tests
and ODIs in Pakistan, a feat that had eluded India for more than
50 years, and an epic Test triumph over Australia in 2001. He
captained India in the 2003 World Cup Final.

Ganguly’s confidence – some reckon it is arrogance – has been
known to antagonise opponents, spectators and sometimes
even his team-mates. Some people call him Lord Snooty, although
usually when he is not listening. He lost captaincy in 2005 and
was dropped from the team altogether after falling out with the
coach, Greg Chappell. But Ganguly’s fan base – especially in his
home region where he is often known as the Prince of Kolkata

– never dwindled and his return to the top in 2007 was thrilling.

There was little doubt, then, that he would be Kolkata Knight
Rider’s icon player. Already worshipped by the Bengali fans he and
Shah Rukh Khan became one of the tournament’s most crowd-
pleasing double acts, with Shah Rukh maintaining an exalted
status in the stands and Ganguly marshalling his troops on the
field. Not everything went according to plan after the opening
games were won, but as ever with Ganguly the spectacular was
just around the corner. With his side desperate for a win after
losing four of their previous five matches, Ganguly smashed 91
off 57 balls against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad, including at
one point a quite incredible five sixes in 11 balls as the Knight
Riders put their foot down towards the end of the innings.

That inspired his team to a total of 204 for four and, ultimately,
an easy win, but not long after Ganguly was at it again. Kolkata’s
chances of reaching the last four had come and gone, but there
was still professional pride at stake as his side were struggling
to overhaul Kings XI Punjab’s total of 174 for six. Ganguly’s
response was to crack an undefeated 86 in 53 balls to steer
Kolkata to victory with three wickets and two deliveries to spare
– an innings that left him as his side’s leading DLF IPL runscorer
with a tally of 349 runs. Throw in six wickets and an economy-
rate of 6.40 and Ganguly proved yet again that you write off the
best players at your peril.

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