Sourav Ganguly inducted into ICC Hall of Fame, becomes 12th Indian honouree
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, with the announcement made during the ICC's annual conference in Edinburgh on 9 July — coinciding with his 54th birthday. Ganguly becomes the 12th Indian cricketer overall and the 10th Indian men's cricketer to receive one of cricket's highest individual honours.
Tributes from Former Teammates
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh was among the first to react, posting a message on X: 'Congratulations Captain. Happy to hear the Announcement.' Yuvraj Singh, who was a key part of Ganguly's celebrated side in the early 2000s, offered a more personal tribute.
'Congratulations Dada on being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Thoroughly deserved! You didn't just build a team, you built belief in a generation of cricketers. Grateful to have played under your leadership and created memories that will last a lifetime. Congratulations once again,' Yuvraj wrote.
Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly's Exchange
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly's long-time opening partner, also extended his congratulations on X. 'There aren't too many surprises left after knowing each other since we were 14. This wasn't one either. Congratulations @SGanguly99. So happy to see you in the @ICC Hall of Fame!' Tendulkar wrote.
Ganguly responded with an emotional note: 'Thank you champion... to be in the same list as you is the biggest job satisfaction ever @bcci.' The exchange underscored the depth of a partnership that defined Indian batting for over a decade.
A Career That Reshaped Indian Cricket
Ganguly represented India in 113 Tests and 311 One-Day Internationals, accumulating 7,212 Test runs and 11,363 ODI runs respectively. His batting record, however, tells only part of the story. As captain, he is widely credited with instilling a fearless, combative identity in Indian cricket during the early 2000s — backing young talent and leading the side to the 2003 ODI World Cup final.
Notably, his tenure as captain coincided with a generation of players — including Yuvraj, Zaheer Khan, and Virender Sehwag — who went on to define Indian cricket for years after. Critics and admirers alike point to his leadership as a turning point in how India approached overseas Test cricket.
India's Hall of Fame Roll Call
With Ganguly's induction, 12 Indians now feature in the ICC Hall of Fame. Previous inductees include Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Vinoo Mankad, Diana Edulji, Virender Sehwag, Neetu David, and MS Dhoni. Currently serving as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Ganguly's post-playing influence on Indian cricket administration continues alongside this latest recognition.