New Delhi: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, one of the most successful captains for India, is celebrating his 50th birthday on Friday, July 08. One of team India's most memorable wins was under Ganguly's captaincy against Australia at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2001, In this match, team India registered a memorable win despite playing a follow-on in the first innings against Steve Waugh-led Australian team. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid scored 281 and 180 respectively in that match, while Harbhajan Singh took a brilliant hat-trick.
On his 50th birthday, Ganguly recalled the historic Test match during an interview with Hindustan Times. The BCCI President said that this match changed the direction of cricket in the country. Ganguly said, "That victory changed Indian cricket. It changed the team. It gave the team confidence that we can win anywhere and everywhere. I think it was a turning point for our team. In some ways, it was a strange game."
Apart from that match, the BCCI President also shared his opinion on team India's recent defeat in the fifth Test against England. India had set a target of 378 runs for England, which the hosts easily chased down, courtesy of centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. India suffered a 7-wicket loss against England in this rescheduled Test, after which the series ended in a 2-2 draw.
Giving his opinion on India's defeat in this match, Ganguly said, "Yes, absolutely. I do not know how India lost that game."