Kolkata: Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly turned 44 today and birthday wishes poured in from all quarters for one of the country’s most celebrated cricketers.
‘#HappyBirthdayDada’ trended on Twitter for the former batsman, who was the most successful Indian captain before the feat was surpassed by the present limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Indian head coach Anil Kumble, a former teammate and captain, was among the first to wish Ganguly on his official twitter handle, “‘Happy birthday @SGanguly99! May the almighty shower lots of love and blessings!'”
Happy birthday @SGanguly99! May the almighty shower lots of love and blessings!
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) July 8, 2016
Former Test opener Virender Sehwag, who feels Ganguly sacrificed the opening slot for him, also followed suit: ‘HappyBirthdayDada @SGanguly99. May you keep on helping India wave our flag high,just like u waved ur shirt at Lords.’
HappyBirthdayDada @SGanguly99. May you keep on helping India wave our flag high,just like u waved ur shirt at Lords pic.twitter.com/2ohxDlIKT5 — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 8, 2016
Ganguly’s another famous teammate Yuvraj Singh also wished “cricket’s biggest Dada”.
“Sourav Ganguly is the one who asked Virender Sehwag to open the batting in Test Cricket and rest is history…”
“Here’s wishing a very Happy Birthday to former #TeamIndia captain @SGanguly99 #HappyBirthdayDada,” the BCCI wrote in its official Twitter handle.
Here’s wishing a very Happy Birthday to former #TeamIndia captain @SGanguly99 #HappyBirthdayDada pic.twitter.com/drWHWjdvJN
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 8, 2016
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also wished Ganguly on twitter. “Wish you all the success and happiness in life.”
Birthday greetings to @SGanguly99 Wish you all the success and happiness in life
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 8, 2016
BCCI President Anurag Thakur too wished Ganguly on his twitter account.
#HappyBirthday @SGanguly99 have a wonderful time! Best wishes from team @BCCI ! pic.twitter.com/CcIX9Iub40
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 8, 2016
Former batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar also wished his former opening partner on his 44th birthday.
Happy Birthday Dada, May all your dreams come true!! @SGanguly99 pic.twitter.com/q2ntdZlgAB
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 8, 2016
India’s test captain Virat Kohli too wished his “Dada” on twitter.
Happy Birthday @SGanguly99 Dada. Thank you for inspiring us always & wish you more happiness & success. God bless 🙂
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 8, 2016
Sourav Ganguly’s one time teammate and CAC member VVS Laxman also wished the former captain through twitter.
Happy Birthday @SGanguly99 Have a gr8 year
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 8, 2016
Ganguly amassed 7213 runs in 113 Tests and 11,363 runs from 311 ODIs.
Ganguly also led India to the finals of ICC Champions Trophy in 2001 (Sri Lanka), ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 in South Africa, and won the famous NatWest series against England after which he celebrated by taking off his shirt at the Lord’s balcony.
He retired from International cricket in 2008 during the home series against Australia and currently leads Eden Garden in an administrative role — Cricket Association of Bengal president.
Ganguly’s fans also celebrated his birthday at the Behala residence of the ‘Prince of Kolkata’ by cutting cakes.
A 10-kg customised cake with photo of Ganguly talking on phone sitting on the Eden Gardens outfield was specially prepared by his fan club run by Santanu Saha Cricket Academy.
“We celebrate his birthday in a grand way since 2001 (when he beat Australia) and Ganguly always obliges by cutting the cake,” Santanu Saha said surrounded by Ganguly’s fans.