Former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Anjum Chopra, alongside former England skipper Kevin Pietersen, were inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame on Saturday, 11 July 2026, at a ceremony in Edinburgh. The trio, collectively named the Class of 2026, takes the total number of Hall of Fame inductees to 125, cementing their place among cricket's most celebrated figures.

ICC Chairman Welcomes the Class of 2026

ICC Chairman Jay Shah congratulated all three inductees, describing the honour as a tribute to individuals who have shaped the global game. 'I am delighted to welcome the latest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame, a tribute to the extraordinary individuals whose achievements have contributed greatly to our sport,' Shah said. He added that Ganguly, Chopra, and Pietersen had each 'led their national teams with pride' and that their achievements would 'be celebrated for generations to come, standing alongside the game's greatest figures.'

Sourav Ganguly: The Prince Who Built a Champion Side

Sourav Ganguly is widely regarded as one of the most transformative captains in Indian cricket history. The elegant left-hander from Kolkata announced his Test arrival with centuries in his first two innings and went on to accumulate 7,212 runs in 113 Tests and 11,363 runs in 311 One-Day Internationals. As captain, he steered India to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000, a shared Champions Trophy title in 2002, and the final of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2003.

Reacting to the induction, Ganguly said, 'I am honoured to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To have my name included among cricket's greatest players will remain one of my most cherished moments.' He described the recognition as 'the highest honour a cricketer can receive' and thanked Shah, his family, and teammates for their support over the years.

Anjum Chopra: A Pioneer for Indian Women's Cricket

Anjum Chopra becomes only the second Indian woman to enter the ICC Hall of Fame, following a career that rewrote the record books for women's cricket in India. The stylish left-handed batter was the first Indian woman to score 1,000 ODI runs and the first to appear in 100 ODIs. She captained India to their maiden overseas Test victory in South Africa in 2002 and played a pivotal role in the team's run to the 2005 ICC Women's World Cup final.

Chopra, the lone woman inductee in the Class of 2026, said the honour belonged to everyone who had shaped her journey. 'This honour — to be recognised amongst the game's greatest — is an award for all those who have helped shape my career,' she said, crediting her parents, teachers, coaches, and administrators for their timely support.

Kevin Pietersen: England's Record Run-Scorer

Kevin Pietersen retired as England's highest run-scorer across all three international formats combined, amassing more than 13,700 international runs. The South Africa-born batter played a defining role in England's 2005 Ashes triumph and was named Player of the Tournament in England's victorious 2010 ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign. His aggressive, unorthodox style made him one of the most watchable batters of his generation.

'It's a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To be recognised in this way and see my name beside so many of the game's greats is truly humbling,' Pietersen said, adding that the recognition was one he would 'cherish forever.'

About the ICC Hall of Fame

Introduced in 2009 as part of the ICC's centenary celebrations, the Hall of Fame recognises former players whose achievements and influence have left an enduring mark on international cricket. Players become eligible only five years after their final international appearance, ensuring the distinction remains among the sport's most exclusive. With the Class of 2026, the list now stands at 125 inductees. The honour places Ganguly, Chopra, and Pietersen alongside legends who have collectively defined the modern era of the game.