Sourav Ganguly inducted into ICC Hall of Fame on his 54th birthday
Synopsis
On his 54th birthday, Sourav Ganguly learned he would join cricket's most exclusive club — the ICC Hall of Fame. The man who rebuilt Indian cricket's spine after the match-fixing crisis of 2000, and took it to a Test series win in Pakistan and a World Cup final, is now the 12th Indian on that list. The formal induction comes on 11 July in Edinburgh.
Key Takeaways
Sourav Ganguly has been named an ICC Hall of Fame inductee, with the formal announcement due on 11 July 2025 in Edinburgh .
The honour arrived on his 54th birthday on 8 July ; he becomes the 12th Indian overall and 10th Indian men's cricketer inducted.
Ganguly scored 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs with 22 centuries and took 132 wickets ; he also made 7,212 runs in 113 Tests .
As captain from 2000 , he led India to the 2002 NatWest Trophy , joint 2002 Champions Trophy , 2003 World Cup final , and a historic Test series win in Pakistan in 2004 .
He currently heads the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and is head coach of Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 league.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been named the latest inductee into the ICC Hall of Fame, with the formal announcement expected on 11 July at the conclusion of the ICC's annual conference in Edinburgh. The recognition arrived on a fitting occasion — Ganguly's 54th birthday on 8 July — and he called it a 'huge honour' to join the list alongside some of the greatest names in cricket history.
A Historic Milestone for Indian Cricket
Ganguly is set to become the 12th Indian overall and the 10th Indian men's cricketer to receive the honour. He follows a distinguished line that includes Sachin Tendulkar (2019), Rahul Dravid (2018), Anil Kumble (2015), and most recently MS Dhoni (2025). The full list of Indian inductees spans from Bishan Singh Bedi and Sunil Gavaskar in 2009 through to the present day, underscoring Indian cricket's growing footprint in the global game's hall of honour.
Ganguly's Reaction
Posting on his X account on Thursday, Ganguly wrote: 'Thank you ICC and Chairman Jay Shah @JayShah for inducting me in the hall of fame .. it's a huge honour ..One of the 10 Indians to be inducted in the hall of fame ever .. Amazing to be a part of some great names .. @bcci.' The post drew an outpouring of congratulations from cricket fans and officials alike.
The Numbers Behind the Legend
Ganguly's career statistics make a compelling case for the honour. In 311 ODIs, he amassed 11,363 runs — including 22 centuries — and also claimed 132 wickets, establishing himself as one of the finest all-round performers in the format. In 113 Tests, he contributed 7,212 runs. Affectionately known as the 'God of the off-side', he remains one of the most technically gifted left-handers the game has produced.
The Captain Who Changed Indian Cricket
Ganguly assumed the captaincy in 2000 during one of the most turbulent periods in Indian cricket — the match-fixing crisis that had shaken the sport to its foundations. What followed was a transformation. He instilled a fierce, combative winning mentality, particularly on foreign soil, an area where India had historically struggled.
Under his leadership, India lifted the 2002 NatWest Trophy, became joint winner of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, reached the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup, and achieved a historic Test series win in Pakistan in 2004. Perhaps most memorably, he led India to an epic 2001 Test victory over Australia at Eden Gardens in Kolkata — on his home ground, against the dominant team of that era.
Life After Cricket
After retiring from the game, Ganguly served as BCCI President, steering the board through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. He currently heads the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and serves as head coach of Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 league, while also holding the position of Director of Cricket at Delhi Capitals in both the IPL and WPL. The formal ICC induction ceremony is expected at the conclusion of the annual conference on 11 July in Edinburgh.
Point of View
But its timing carries symbolic weight. He took charge of Indian cricket at its lowest point — the match-fixing scandal of 2000 — and rebuilt not just results but identity. The aggressive, chest-out brand of cricket he championed became the template that Dhoni and Kohli later inherited. What mainstream coverage tends to underplay is his administrative chapter: as BCCI President through the pandemic, he kept bilateral cricket alive at a moment when global sport was paralysed. The Hall of Fame recognises the batter and captain; the administrator's legacy is still being written.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Sourav Ganguly officially be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame?
The formal induction announcement is expected on 11 July 2025, at the conclusion of the ICC's annual conference in Edinburgh. Ganguly confirmed the honour in a post on his X account on 8 July, his 54th birthday.
How many Indians are now in the ICC Hall of Fame?
Ganguly will become the 12th Indian overall and the 10th Indian men's cricketer inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Previous Indian inductees include Sachin Tendulkar (2019), Rahul Dravid (2018), MS Dhoni (2025), and Anil Kumble (2015), among others.
What are Sourav Ganguly's career statistics?
Ganguly scored 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs, including 22 centuries, and also took 132 wickets in the format. In Test cricket, he made 7,212 runs across 113 matches.
What did Sourav Ganguly achieve as India's captain?
Ganguly captained India from 2000 and led the side to the 2002 NatWest Trophy, joint 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, the 2003 ODI World Cup final, and a historic Test series win in Pakistan in 2004. He also oversaw the famous 2001 Test victory over Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
What is Sourav Ganguly doing after retiring from cricket?
After his playing career, Ganguly served as BCCI President through the Covid-19 pandemic. He currently heads the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), serves as head coach of Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 league, and is Director of Cricket at Delhi Capitals in the IPL and WPL.
