Sourav Ganguly drops ICC Hall of Fame surprise on 54th birthday, thanks Jay Shah

Calling it a special honour, Sourav Ganguly said it was a privilege to be counted among some of cricket's greatest names.

Updated on: Jul 8, 2026, 21:35:24 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly marked his 54th birthday with a memorable achievement after being inducted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame. Ganguly shared the news on social media, thanking the ICC and its chairman Jay Shah for the recognition.

Sourav Ganguly revealed that he has been inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame. (REUTERS)

Calling it a special honour, the former India skipper said it was a privilege to be counted among some of cricket's greatest names. He also noted that he had become only the 10th Indian to receive the prestigious Hall of Fame induction, making the occasion even more significant.

In a post on X, Ganguly said it is amazing to be part of some great names. "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," Ganguly said in a post on X.

The ICC is yet to make an official announcement regarding the latest additions to the ICC Hall of Fame. The honour recognises cricketers whose achievements have left a lasting mark on the game. Under the ICC's eligibility rules, a player can only be considered for induction five years after making their final international appearance.

The ICC Hall of Fame was launched in January 2009 as part of the ICC's centenary celebrations and has since celebrated the greatest players to have graced the game.

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Ganguly left a lasting mark on Indian cricket both as a batter and as a captain. Across 424 international matches, he scored 18,575 runs, including 38 centuries and 107 half-centuries. His tally comprised 7,212 runs in 113 Tests and 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs, placing him among India's finest batters. As captain, Ganguly led India in 196 international matches and won 97 of them. His tenure transformed Indian cricket, highlighted by the memorable 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph over Steve Waugh's Australia, India's first Test series win in Pakistan in 2004, and runner-up finishes at the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy and the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

Low-key birthday for Sourav Ganguly

He celebrated his 54th birthday with a midnight cake-cutting ceremony at his home.

While the celebrations were low-key, he connected via video call with his daughter, Sana, who is currently in Barcelona.

"So many people have reached out, through phone calls, messages, and tweets. I would like to thank everyone for the love and respect they have shown me," Ganguly said.

"Sana is in Barcelona and we are speaking over video call. When she is around, there is usually a bigger celebration; otherwise, it is a low-key affair at home," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Sourav Ganguly

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