Sourav Ganguly, affectionately known as “Dada” and regarded as the “Prince of Kolkata,” began playing international cricket for India in 1992. But he was dropped from the side after just one game. In 1996, he made a big name for himself by scoring a century on his Test debut at Lord’s.
He played for India for over 16 years and retired in 2008. Even today, cricket fans remember him not just for his batting but for his fearless attitude, astute captaincy, and love for the game.
Over the years, many great players have come, but some of Ganguly’s records are still untouched.
Saurav Ganguly Career Stats
Here is the career stats of Saurav Ganguly across all formats.
| Format | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | 50s | 100s | 200s | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 113 | 7212 | 239 | 42.18 | 35 | 16 | 1 | 32 | 3.24 |
| ODI | 311 | 11363 | 183 | 40.73 | 72 | 22 | 0 | 100 | 5.06 |
| T20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| IPL | 59 | 1349 | 91 | 25.45 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7.89 |
On his birthday, let’s take a look at five records held by Dada that every cricket fan should know.
1. 1,767 Runs in 1999: Ganguly’s Historic ODI Year Behind Only Sachin
Sourav Ganguly holds the record for the second-highest number of runs scored in ODIs in a calendar year, just behind Sachin Tendulkar. In 1999, he scored 1767 runs in 41 matches with an impressive average of 46.50.
His highest score that year was 183, and he also recorded four centuries and 10 half-centuries. This outstanding performance placed him among the most consistent and dependable batters for India during that time.
2. Second-Most ODI Centuries in a Calendar Year
In the year 2000, Sourav Ganguly scored seven centuries in One Day Internationals. This performance placed him second on the list of most ODI centuries scored in a calendar year at that time. Only Sachin Tendulkar is ahead of him, with nine centuries in a single year. Later, modern-day greats like Rohit Sharma and David Warner equaled Ganguly’s record.
That year, Ganguly played 32 ODIs and scored a total of 1579 runs. His batting average stood at an impressive 56.39, and his highest score was 144. Ganguly’s performances in 2000 are remembered as one of the best phases of his ODI career and remain a proud chapter in Indian cricket history.
3. Sachin & Sourav: Most Prolific Partnership in ODI History
Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly formed the most successful batting pair in ODI history. Together, they scored 8227 runs in 176 innings at an average of 47.55, which remains the highest partnership aggregate in the format. As openers, they added 6609 runs in 136 innings, a record that stands unbeaten.
Their chemistry at the crease, perfect understanding of running between the wickets, and ability to dominate world-class bowling attacks made them a nightmare for opponents. From World Cups to bilateral series, their partnerships often laid the groundwork for India’s most significant wins.
They shared 26 century stands and 29 fifty-plus stands, consistently providing India with strong starts. Their dominance during the late 1990s and early 2000s defined an era of Indian cricket and continues to inspire generations.
4. India’s Best Test Innings by a Left-Handed Batter
Sourav Ganguly holds the record for the highest Test score by an Indian left-handed batter. He made 239 runs against Pakistan in Bengaluru in December 2007. Before this, Vinod Kambli had the record with 227 runs, but Ganguly went past it with a brilliant knock.
His innings included 30 fours and two sixes. He showed an outstanding balance between calm defense and powerful shots. During this innings, he also shared a 300-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh, which helped India take a strong position in the match.
This double century was one of the best performances of his career. Even today, as of July 2025, no other Indian left-handed batter has scored more runs than Ganguly in a single Test innings.
5. Only Player with 4 Back-to-Back Player of the Match Awards in ODIs
Sourav Ganguly is the only player in ODI history to win four Player of the Match awards in a row. This means he was the best player on the field in four back-to-back matches. No other player has done this so far.
Many famous cricketers have come close to winning the award in three games in a row, like Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas, AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Quinton de Kock, and Ross Taylor.
But no one has been able to match Ganguly’s record. As of July 2025, his record of four consecutive awards remains unbeaten. It shows how special and consistent he was during his peak.
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