India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup was a fitting culmination of Dravid’s coaching journey. The final, held at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, saw India put up a total of 176 runs thanks to Virat Kohli’s 76-run knock. The bowlers, led by Hardik Pandya’s three wickets and supported by Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, restricted South Africa to 169 runs, clinching a seven-run victory.

Sourav Ganguly: The Architect of India’s cricketing renaissance

Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy remains an important period in the history of Indian cricket. When the Indian cricket was struggling with match-fixing scandal, Ganguly was the one who took it out of the darkest times. He made everyone believe that India could compete at the biggest stage against the mighty rivals. The perfect balance between young blood and experience in his era saw India rule the world cricket.

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The trinity of Ganguly, his vice-captain Rahul Dravid, and the GOAT Sachin Tendulkar carried the Indian cricket for generations. Tendulkar won the much-deserving World Cup in 2011 while Dravid finally got the chance to win the T20 World Cup as coach. Ganguly is the one from the holy trinity to not have any ICC trophy to his name.

Ganguly congratulate team India for the T20 WC 2024 win against South Africa

Convincing Dravid to Coach

One of Ganguly’s notable decisions as BCCI president was convincing Rahul Dravid to take over as head coach after Ravi Shastri stepped down post the T20 World Cup in UAE in 2021.

“I’m not surprised that they have shown faith in Dravid. When I was president of the Board, we convinced him to do this job. And I’m so happy to see yesterday that his tenure has been extended,” Ganguly told reporters when Dravid’s tenure was extended by six months this year in January.

Transition to administration

After retiring from international cricket, Ganguly transitioned to administration, eventually becoming the president of the BCCI. In this role, he continued to influence Indian cricket, making significant decisions and supporting the development of the sport at all levels.

Virat Kohli’s heroics and retirement

Virat Kohli’s performance in the final was a testament to his resilience and skill. His 76 runs off 59 balls were crucial in setting a competitive total. Following the victory, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 cricket, ending his T20 career on a high note and leaving a legacy as one of India’s greatest cricketers.

The Supporting cast

The final was not just about the stars. Axar Patel’s 47 off 31 deliveries and Shivam Dube’s 27 runs were critical in boosting India’s total. In the bowling department, Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch near the ropes to dismiss David Miller was a game-changer, and Jasprit Bumrah’s disciplined bowling in the final overs sealed the win.

India’s victory and celebration

India’s victory in the T20 World Cup was a moment of immense joy and celebration. It ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought and was a testament to the team’s hard work and determination. The players, led by Ganguly’s visionary leadership as BCCI president, celebrated with enthusiasm, acknowledging the fans’ unwavering support.

Former Indian National Cricket Team fast bowler Praveen Kumar has showered praise on Rohit Sharma, describing him as an exceptional captain.

Currently captaining the team in the ongoing 5-match home Test series against the England National Cricket Team, Rohit Sharma has showcased outstanding leadership skills while also making significant contributions with the bat.

Rohit Sharma’s Leadership: Following in the Footsteps of Ganguly

Despite a shaky start with a loss against England, Rohit Sharma’s team bounced back remarkably, securing three consecutive dominant victories to clinch the series 3-1.

As India eyes a comprehensive 4-1 series win against Ben Stokes & Co., the final Test match is scheduled to take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala from March 07.

During a recent interaction with TimesofIndia.com, former swing bowler Praveen Kumar commended Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, drawing parallels with the legendary Sourav Ganguly. He remarked, “Rohit is a fantastic skipper. He is leading the side really well. Sourav Ganguly was the one who built the team. He created the team with a mix of youngsters and experienced players.”

Praveen Kumar Highlights Rohit Sharma’s Balanced Approach: Offering Tough Love and Encouragement

The former Indian speedster further praised Rohit Sharma as ‘the friend of friends’, highlighting his balanced approach of both admonishing and uplifting players.

“Rohit is ‘the friend of friends’. He scolds the players when they make mistakes and also embraces them. He offers guidance and grants them freedom on the field,” the former bowler elaborated.

In the same discussion, Praveen Kumar was asked to identify an Indian pace bowler from the current era who has left a strong impression on him. Without hesitation, he named Jasprit Bumrah, emphasizing his exceptional bowling skills and the ability to take wickets at critical junctures.

“Jasprit Bumrah is truly outstanding. His prowess speaks for itself, and there’s hardly any doubt regarding his abilities. He’s become a senior player now, mastering the art of taking wickets whenever needed,” Praveen affirmed.

Furthermore, Praveen mentioned Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar as promising pacers who have caught his eye recently, expressing confidence in their potential for long-term success.

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“Akash Deep has caught my attention significantly. Mukesh Kumar has shown promise too. These bowlers have showcased impressive performances and have bright futures ahead, as long as they continue to learn and evolve,” he remarked.

Turning back to Rohit Sharma, he is set to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 following the conclusion of the five-match Test series against England, led by Ben Stokes. However, this season, the leadership role for the Mumbai Indians (MI) has been entrusted to Hardik Pandya.

Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor is set to play the lead role in Sourav Ganguly biopic, according to multiple media reports. The biopic is still in talks and still to be named. It is in development after bollywood has also produced biopic on former India captain MS Dhoni and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.

According to a report in ETimes, the film is all set to go on floors soon and the makers have zeroed in on Ranbir Kapoor to play the lead role of the former captain of the Indian cricket team.

Earlier, it was reported that the makers are considering Ranbir Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra & Hrithik Roshan.

Reportedly, talks with Ranbir had materialised but there were scheduling issues, however, those seem to have been sorted out now.

The report further states that the filming will soon begin in Kolkata and Ranbir may soon visit the city including Eden Gardens cricket stadium, the CAB office & Sourav Ganguly’s home before he begins the shoot.

Unlike previous sports biopics, the film on Sourav Ganguly is said to be the costliest ever to be made with an approximate budget of Rs 200-250 crore. The former captain has also given his nod to the script’s final draft, according to reports.

Fans can expect an official announcement about Ranbir coming on board the Sourav Ganguly biopic.