Sourav Ganguly, affectionately known as the “Prince of Kolkata”, is a legendary figure in Indian cricket. As a former captain of the Indian national cricket team and a successful cricket administrator, Ganguly’s career is filled with monumental achievements, inspiring leadership, and an indelible impact on the game. This detailed biography highlights Sourav Ganguly’s age, height, weight, net worth, and other essential personal details that make him one of the most respected figures in the cricketing world.
Personal Details of Sourav Ganguly
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sourav Chandidas Ganguly |
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1972 |
| Age | 52 years (as of 2024) |
| Place of Birth | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Profession | Cricketer, Administrator, Commentator |
| Net Worth | $50 million (approx.) |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Spouse | Dona Ganguly |
| Children | Sana Ganguly |
Early Life and Background
Sourav Chandidas Ganguly was born on July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, into an affluent family. His father, Chandidas Ganguly, was one of the richest businessmen in Kolkata, owning a flourishing printing business. From a young age, Sourav exhibited a keen interest in sports, particularly football and cricket. Encouraged by his elder brother Snehasish Ganguly, who was a cricketer himself, Sourav began his cricket journey in earnest during his school days at St. Xavier’s Collegiate School.
Cricketing Career Beginnings
Ganguly made his first-class debut for Bengal in the 1990-91 Ranji Trophy season. His talent and consistency quickly earned him recognition. After impressive performances domestically, Ganguly was selected for the Indian cricket team in 1992. However, his early international career was rocky, and he was temporarily dropped from the team. Undeterred, he worked relentlessly on his game and returned stronger.
Rise to Fame and International Career
Sourav Ganguly’s career-defining moment came during the 1996 England tour when he scored a stunning century on his Test debut at Lord’s. This remarkable performance marked the arrival of a future Indian cricket legend. His impeccable timing, elegant cover drives, and fearless approach made him a standout player.
Test Match Career Performance By Opposition (Batting Statistics)
| Opposition | Matches | Runs | Average | High Score | 100 / 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 24 | 1403 | 35.07 | 144 | 2 / 7 |
| Bangladesh | 5 | 371 | 61.83 | 100 | 1 / 3 |
| England | 12 | 983 | 57.82 | 136 | 3 / 5 |
| New Zealand | 8 | 563 | 46.91 | 125 | 3 / 2 |
| Pakistan | 12 | 902 | 47.47 | 239 | 2 / 4 |
| South Africa | 17 | 947 | 33.82 | 87 | 0 / 7 |
| Sri Lanka | 14 | 1064 | 46.26 | 173 | 3 / 4 |
| West Indies | 12 | 449 | 32.07 | 75* | 0 / 2 |
| Zimbabwe | 9 | 530 | 44.16 | 136 | 2 / 1 |
| Overall figures | 113 | 7212 | 42.17 | 239 | 16 / 35 |
ODI Career Performance By Opposition (Batting Statistics)
| Opposition | Matches | Runs | Average | High Score | 100 / 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 35 | 774 | 23.45 | 100 | 1 / 5 |
| Bangladesh | 10 | 459 | 57.37 | 135* | 1 / 4 |
| England | 26 | 975 | 39.00 | 117* | 1 / 7 |
| New Zealand | 32 | 1079 | 35.96 | 153* | 3 / 6 |
| Pakistan | 53 | 1652 | 35.14 | 141 | 2 / 9 |
| South Africa | 29 | 1313 | 50.50 | 141* | 3 / 8 |
| Sri Lanka | 44 | 1534 | 40.36 | 183 | 4 / 9 |
| West Indies | 27 | 1142 | 47.58 | 98 | 0 / 11 |
| Zimbabwe | 36 | 1367 | 42.71 | 144 | 3 / 7 |
| ICC World XI | 1 | 22 | 22.00 | 22 | 0 / 0 |
| Africa XI | 2 | 120 | 60.00 | 88 | 0 / 1 |
| Bermuda | 1 | 89 | 89.00 | 89 | 0 / 1 |
| Ireland | 1 | 73 | – | 73* | 0 / 1 |
| Kenya | 11 | 588 | 73.50 | 111* | 3 / 2 |
| Namibia | 1 | 112 | – | 112* | 1 / 0 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 8 | 8.00 | 8 | 0 / 0 |
| United Arab Emirates | 1 | 56 | 56.00 | 56 | 0 / 1 |
| Overall figures | 311 | 11363 | 41.02 | 183 | 22 / 72 |
Captaincy and Transformation of Indian Cricket
Ganguly took over as the captain of the Indian team in 2000 during a turbulent period marked by match-fixing scandals. His leadership brought a renewed sense of aggression, confidence, and resilience to the Indian team. Under his captaincy, India achieved several historic victories, including the iconic series win against Australia in 2001 and the memorable journey to the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup final.
Ganguly’s strategic acumen and unyielding spirit earned him the moniker “Dada,” meaning elder brother. He nurtured future stars like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and MS Dhoni, shaping the golden era of Indian cricket.
Captaincy Record
Captaincy Record in Test Matches:
| Venue | Span | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2000–2005 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Away | 2000–2005 | 28 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 7 |
| Total | 2000–2005 | 49 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 15 |
Career Summary as Captain in Test Matches:
| Venue | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2000–2005 | 21 | 868 | 136 | 29.93 | 2 | 3 | 1/14 | 78.00 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Away | 2000–2005 | 28 | 1693 | 144 | 43.41 | 3 | 2 | 2/69 | 193.00 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Total | 2000–2005 | 49 | 2561 | 144 | 37.66 | 5 | 5 | 2/69 | 124.00 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
Captaincy Record in One Day Internationals:
| Venue | Span | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2000–2005 | 36 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Away | 2000–2005 | 51 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 3 |
| Neutral | 1999–2005 | 59 | 34 | 23 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 1999–2005 | 146 | 76 | 65 | 0 | 5 |
Career Summary as Captain in One Day Internationals:
| Venue | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 2000–2005 | 36 | 1463 | 144 | 43.02 | 2 | 16 | 5/34 | 30.87 | 1 | 14 | 0 |
| Away | 2000–2005 | 51 | 1545 | 135 | 32.18 | 2 | 15 | 3/22 | 39.26 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Neutral | 2000–2005 | 60 | 2096 | 141 | 41.92 | 7 | 15 | 3/32 | 43.20 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Total | 2000–2005 | 147 | 5104 | 144 | 38.66 | 11 | 46 | 5/34 | 37.63 | 1 | 61 | 0 |
Key Achievements and Records
- Test Debut: June 20, 1996, vs. England at Lord’s (scored 131 runs)
- ODI Debut: January 11, 1992, vs. West Indies
- Captaincy Record: Led India in 49 Tests (won 21) and 146 ODIs (won 76)
- Total International Runs: Over 18,000 runs across formats
- Centuries: 16 Test centuries and 22 ODI centuries
- Awards: Padma Shri (2004), BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
Post-Retirement: Cricket Administrator and Commentator
After retiring from international cricket in 2008, Sourav Ganguly seamlessly transitioned into administrative and commentary roles. In 2019, he was appointed as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), where he played a pivotal role in promoting Indian cricket, improving infrastructure, and managing critical cricketing decisions.
As a commentator, Ganguly’s insights and deep understanding of the game have earned him widespread acclaim. His analysis, delivered with candor and authority, continues to captivate cricket fans worldwide.
Personal Life and Family
He married his childhood sweetheart, Dona Ganguly, in 1997. The couple has a daughter named Sana Ganguly, who often appears alongside her parents at public events. Despite his busy professional life, Ganguly remains a devoted family man and frequently shares glimpses of his personal life with fans.
Sourav Ganguly’s Incredible Net Worth
As of 2024, Sourav Ganguly’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million (approximately ₹400 crore). His wealth stems from multiple sources, including:
- Cricket Earnings: Match fees, captaincy earnings, and bonuses.
- Endorsements: Brands like Pepsi, Puma, Tata Tetley, Senco Gold, and more.
- Business Ventures: Co-ownership of the Indian Super League (ISL) team ATK Mohun Bagan.
- BCCI Salary: His role as BCCI President comes with significant compensation.
- Commentary and Media Work: TV appearances, commentary gigs, and reality shows.
Ganguly’s prudent investments and brand value have solidified his status as one of the wealthiest cricketers in the world.
Height, Weight, and Fitness Regime
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
- Weight: 68 kg (150 lbs)
Ganguly maintains a disciplined fitness routine to stay healthy. Even post-retirement, he emphasizes regular workouts, a balanced diet, and mental wellness. His commitment to fitness serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes.
Legacy and Influence
Sourav Ganguly’s legacy extends beyond the cricket field. He is credited with instilling a fighting spirit and self-belief in the Indian cricket team. His fearless leadership style and ability to back young talent have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Ganguly’s contributions have set the stage for the modern era of Indian dominance in world cricket.
FAQs
1. What is Sourav Ganguly’s full name?
His full name is Sourav Chandidas Ganguly.
2. How tall is Sourav Ganguly?
He is 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall.
3. What is Sourav Ganguly’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated to be around $50 million.
4. When did Sourav Ganguly make his international debut?
He made his ODI debut on January 11, 1992, and his Test debut on June 20, 1996.
5. Who is Sourav Ganguly’s wife?
His wife is Dona Ganguly.
