Champions Trophy: Sourav Ganguly, the DON of Indian cricket lets his bat do the talking

Sports Desk: Team India is currently in England looking to win the last edition of Champions Trophy before it is replaced by World Test Championship. India begins its campaign on Thursday against South Africa. 

 

India, who shared the 2003 trophy with Sri Lanka has never been the sole winner of the tournament. Under Dhoni's captaincy, who plummeted India to number 1 test slot, won T20 World Cup, won the 50 over World Cup and has placed India on the number 1 position in ODIs, the Indian team looks set to win the last and final edition of Champions Trophy. 

 

Dinesh Karthik, who hit 2 consecutive tons in the two warm-up games, has cemented his place in the team and now looks to take on the record set by the Don of Indian Cricket, Sourav Ganguly. Sourav Ganguly has been the highest run scorer for India in Champions Trophy. From South Africa to England and New Zealand, he has decimated every opposition who has come in his way.

 

We relive Dada's magic through some action packed images.

 

Click on the next slide to know more 

13 October 2000 - Ganguly scores a magnificent 141

 

The match played between India and South Africa was played in Nairobi. The South African side that Dada decimated was no ordinary side. The 2000 South African side boasted of bowlers such as Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and Lance Klusener.

 

Ganguly, played a captain's knock when he took on these legendary bowlers to score 141 of 142 balls with the help of 11 fours and  sixes. Dada remained not-out at the end of the innings as India piled on 295 runs.

 

  

15 October 2000 - Dada smashes Kiwi bowlers all around the park

 

India faced New Zealand in the final of 2000 edition of Champions Trophy. Ganguly took charge with the bat as he scored 117 runs off 130 balls and smashed 9 fours and 4 sixes.

 

Ganguly's century was overshadowed by Cairns' ton who scored 102 runs to clinch the trophy.

 

  

22 September 2002 - Don blasts past the English attack

 

Chasing a total of 270 runs, the Indian team made a record breaking start as openers Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly put up an opening partnership of 192 runs. Sehwag smashed 21 fours and 1 six to reach his individual score of 126.

 

After Sehwag's dismissal, Dada took up the anchoring role and sealed a win for India with his 117 run knock. Ganguly hit 12 fours and 3 sixes to reach this score. 

Flower beats Dada

 

In 2000, when Ganguly scored 141 not out, he created the record of highest individual score, bettering Sachin Tendulkar's 141. The not out earned Dada the number 1 spot. On 14 September 2002, Zimbabwe batsman, Andy Flower, scored 145 runs eclipsing Ganguly's record. Despite the heroic efforts of Flower, India won the match by 15 runs.

 

  

A Kiwi hold the record

 

On 10 September 2004, Kiwi opener, Nathan Astle scored an unbeaten 145 to take over the record from Andy Flower.