XtraTime Web Desk: On Monday, a hysterical crosstalk took place on Twitter between the co-commentators and once arch enemies Sourav Ganguly and Nasser Hussain. A sentimental Ganguly posted a picture of himself at the Lord’s captioned, “Back at lords. This is where career started,” recollecting the beginning of his Test career. Hussain impudently responded to the post saying, “You’re on that balcony again … nice to see you with your shirt on !!” The spectacle of Ganguly waving his shirt on the Lord’s balcony after India had defeated England in their own backyard in the Natwest final in 2002 will always remain as one of the most quintessential moments in the history of Indian Cricket. England’s Andrew Flintoff had taken off his shirt off in Mumbai the very same year celebrating England’s victory and mocking India at the same time.
Surely, he didn’t know that Ganguly would not forget it. And when Ganguly would get the right circumstance, he would certainly avenge it.
Notwithstanding, Ganguly’s act received both judgment and corroboration. Some thought there it was indeed the best way of celebrating the victory, while others confronted him for slandering the “gentleman’s game”.
Ganguly is presently in England as a member of Sony Six’s commentary panel for the continuing series between India and England. The three-match Twenty2- International (T20I) series 2-1 was concluded by India on winning the deciding match by eight wickets.
The recently turned forty six-year-old former Indian Team Captain debuted his test series at the Mecca of Cricket during India’s tour of England 1996. Ganguly got his opportunity to vindicate when he walked in the whites for the first time that too in Lord’s Stadium.
England, batting first, posted 344 all out in 130.0 overs. Ganguly snatched two wickets, bowling some 15 overs.
Nassir Hussein happened to be his maiden Test scalp and that’s where the conflict between the future captains began. Graeme Hick, the six-feet tall English cricketer was Ganguly’s other wicket.
When it was India’s turn to bat, a saga awaited Dada. India lost opening batsman Vikram Rathour when they had just 25 runs on the board and then it was time for the entire realm to watch one of the greatest Test batsmen in the world, Ganguly bat for the first time against the red ball.
Ganguly recorded a brilliant century on debut, shattering all English attack. He smashed 20 boundaries while scoring 131 runs.
14 Indian cricketers have scored centuries in their debut Tests, as of now. Although he was just the third batsman to score a hundred on debut at the Lord’s, Ganguly was 10th Indian cricketer to have scored a ton on Test debut.