Ganguly turns 47: Dada’s top 5 most savage moments in the commentary box

Mumbai: Former Indian all-rounder Sourav Ganguly wasn’t done when he cemented his place in cricketing history. After amazing hits with the bat and big wicket hauls with the ball, Dada went on to become one of cricket’s wittiest commentators.

His comebacks were often savage when he needed them to be, and Ganguly was known for speaking his mind freely and not sugar-coating his opinions.

Here are the top five moments when Ganguly dished out the wittiest replies as a commentator-

 

5. Ganguly vs Nasser Hussain

When Nasser Hussain took a dig at India’s football performance on the International stage, Ganguly was quick to fire back. And boy, was his reply a killing blow!

Nasser: "When can I see India in the FIFA World Cup?"

Ganguly: "If India had played football for 50 years, then we would have qualified for the finals at least once."

 

4. Ganguly vs Pakistan

Ganguly trolled the Pakistan team after the ‘Mauka Mauka’ ads made their way to the public and went viral everywhere. Pakistan had never beaten India in a world cup match back then, and as correctly predicted by Ganguly, still haven’t!

Harsha: "Have you seen the new 'Mauka Mauka' ad?"

Ganguly: "Yes I have seen that ad and this ad will remain the same for next 10 to 12 years because Pakistan will never beat India in the World Cup."

 

3. Ganguly vs Ravi Shastri

Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri have often targeted each other for leg-pulling and downright savage roasts. On this one particular discussion the players had over stadium stands in states being named after famous players, Shastri took a quick opportunity to take Ganguly down, but failed miserably.

Ravi Shastri: “In Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is there a Ganguly pavilion or Ganguly stand?”

Sourav Ganguly: “The ground belongs to Ganguly!”

 

2. Ganguly vs Geoffrey Boycott

In a stint during which Sourav Ganguly and Geoffrey Boycott were in the box together, Boycott tried to pull Dada’s leg based on one of Dada’s rather famous match-winning, jersey-less celebration. But he got a taste of his own medicine instead.

Boycott: “You must mention your experience about taking your jersey off and flying it in the air at the Mecca of Cricket: Lord's! Oh, you naughty boy!”

Ganguly: “One of your boys also took off his jersey here in Mumbai.”

Boycott: “Yeah, but Lord's is the Mecca of cricket.”

Ganguly: “Lord's is your Mecca, and Wankhede is ours!”

 

1. Ganguly vs Chappell

Though not in a commentary box, this was one of Ganguly’s most ruthless, on-the-spot replies. When journalist Rajdeep Sardesai asked a question to Ganguly on Chappell’s apology, Dada took no prisoners with his reply.

Rajdeep Sardesai: “Does Greg Chappell owe an apology to Indian cricket? To Sachin Tendulkar, to Sourav Ganguly, to Dravid?”

Sourav Ganguly: “He can call up Tendulkar or Dravid. But he dare not dial my number. If he is hearing this on TV, he dare not call Sourav Ganguly.”

One simply does not mess with Ganguly, the god of offside!

Also read- Ganguly turns 47: Relive Dada’s best knocks with the bat

Also read- Ganguly turns 47: 5 times Dada skittled oppositions with his bowling