5 Instances When Sourav Ganguly Bullied The Opposition
Jul 7, 2020 at 2:30 PM
When Sourav Ganguly took over the captaincy of Team India, the whole team was in disarray following the match-fixing scandal in 2000. And he took no time in building a strong foundation that helped India to rule world cricket in coming years. But the man will be always remembered for instilling the fearless approach in the team. He taught the team to stare down the opposition. Before Sourav Ganguly, Indian players believed in answering the opposition with only their performances but the attitude completely changed after Ganguly took charge of the team. And he led the team with example.
So here we are presenting five instances when India’s captain courageous bullied the opposition players:
5 Instances When Sourav Ganguly Bullied The Opposition
5. Making Steve Waugh wait at the toss:
One of the most successful skippers of India, Sourav Ganguly was also an expert in playing mind games. His mind games came to the fore during the historic 2001-02 home series against Australia that India won 2-1 to cut short the record run of Test wins by the mighty Aussies. The former Indian skipper would repeatedly walkout late for the toss to try and get under the skin of his Australian counterpart Steve Waugh. Ganguly gave Steve Waugh a taste of his medicine and the legendary Aussie later claimed that the incident during the toss affected his team’s performance.
4. The argument with Russel Arnold:
One more instance that showed Ganguly always meant business. The incident happened when India were playing against Sri Lanka in the final of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. Sri Lankan batsman Russel Arnold played a shot on the off-side and tried to steal a single but had to return to his crease after the ball went straight to the fielder standing at backward point. However, Arnold was seen running in the danger area on the pitch and his mistake was pointed out by wicketkeeper Rahul Dravid. Soon Sourav Ganguly got involved in the altercation and was seen warning the batsman. The altercation could have turned ugly but the umpire intervened at the right time. However, Ganguly was still angry and was seen throwing verbal volleys towards Arnold from the position where he was fielding.
Watch the incident
3. Stuart Broad taught a good lesson by the Prince of Calcutta:
After making his comeback in the Indian team in 2006, Ganguly did not show his old aggression and England pacer Stuart Broad took the risk of awakening the sleeping giant.
The incident happened during India’s famous chase against England at The Oval in 2007. Ganguly failed to guide a short of good length delivery from Broad as he mistimed a cut short. Seeing the ‘God of the Off-side’ missing the chance, Broad was seen muttering a few words. Ganguly retaliated in style first with his mouth and then with his bat.
Watch the incident:
2. Mohammad Yousuf told to hurry up:
Slow over-rates were a constant problems for Ganguly. The consequences for such an offence is severe as the captain can be suspended for a game or two. So during one of the matches between India and Pakistan during 2005, Ganguly got angry with Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf for holding up the game to get treatment.
Ganguly engaged in animated conversations with the umpire before reminding the batsman that he was wasting time.
Watch the video:
1. Pommie Mbangwa learns not to play smart when Ganguly is around:
One more instance which showed the bullying by the former Indian skipper. The incident happened during Zimbabwe’s thrilling chase against India at Faridabad in 2002. Towards the end of the match, when Zimbabwe needed five runs off four deliveries with just one wicket in hand, they tried to slow down the game. Zimbabwe dressing room sent the twelfth man Pommie Mbangwa, on to the field with a water bottle and a towel. At first, Ganguly did not react but when he saw that Mbangwa was passing some specific instructions to the batsmen, he became angry.
Watch the incident: