Former India captain Sourav Ganguly turned 44 today, Friday, July 8, and wishes from the cricketing fraternity all over the world poured in on social media.
Fondly known as 'Dada', he represented India in 113 Tests and 311 ODIs, and is one of India's most successful captains.
Leading the Men in Blue to the famous Natwest triumph in 2002, he was instrumental in instilling confidence and aggression in the side, a quality Indian teams lacked.
Check out who said what about the Cricket Association of Bengal president on his birthday.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India was early to wish its ex-captain by tweeting this photograph of Ganguly’s achievements.
'#HappyBirthdayDada' trended on Twitter for the former batsman, India's most successful Indian captain before the feat was surpassed by current limited-overs' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Ganguly's another famous team-mate Yuvraj Singh also wished ‘cricket's biggest Dada’.
"Sourav Ganguly is the one who asked Virender Sehwag to open the batting in Test Cricket and rest is history..."
Ganguly’s former team-mate Virendra Sehwag tweeted with a tongue in cheek post: “May you keep on helping India wave our flag high, just like u waved ur shirt at Lords.”
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee posted: “Birthday greetings to @SGanguly99. Wish you all the success and happiness in life.”
Newly-appointed Team India coach Anil Kumble also took to Twitter to wish 'Dada'.
He wrote, “Happy birthday @SGanguly99! May the almighty shower lots of love and blessings!”
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote a ‘little’ birthday note for Ganguly on Facebook.
It reads: “It is birthday time in Indian cricket and time to celebrate one for Sourav Ganguly. Few players in the history of Indian cricket can claim to have exerted as much influence on it as Sourav has. And it was the start of his captaincy that led to one of the best phases in Indian cricket.
"Interestingly, I saw him make his Ranji Trophy debut, his one-day international debut and, of course, his Test debut. And then spent many hours with him in the commentary box where I admired the fact that he always called it as he saw it.
"Sourav's played many fine innings for India and you could see that he was born to be a leader. I suggested to him though, at the launch of the pink-ball game in Kolkata recently, that his finest may be ahead of him.
"He smiled. It is in the future. But I believe it is inevitable.”
BCCI president Anurag Thakur tweeted with a photograph, “Happy Birthday @SGanguly99 have a wonderful time! Best wishes from team @BCCI !”
Ganguly's fans also celebrated his birthday at the Behala residence of the 'Prince of Kolkata' by cutting cakes.
A 10-kg customised cake with a photograph of Ganguly talking on phone sitting on the Eden Gardens outfield was specially prepared by his fan club, run by Santanu Saha Cricket Academy.
"We celebrate his birthday in a grand way since 2001 (when he beat Australia) and Ganguly always obliges by cutting the cake," said Santanu Saha, surrounded by Ganguly's fans.
You too can wish the 'Prince of Kolkata' by posting your wishes here.
