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How Legendary Sourav Ganguly Backed MS Dhoni To Pave The Way For India’s Golden Era

Jatin

Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni [Source: @Beniwal_break, @KailashOnline/x.comSourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni [Source: @Beniwal_break, @KailashOnline/x.com

Sourav Ganguly, the man who turned Indian cricket from a bunch of nice guys into fearless warriors, turned 53 today. And while we celebrate Dada’s fearless captaincy, it’s impossible not to remember how he placed an early bet on a long-haired boy from Ranchi who went on to change Indian cricket forever.

Yes, we are talking about MS Dhoni, the man who would later lift all three ICC trophies as skipper. But before the helicopter shots, cool finishes and silverware, Dhoni was just another wicketkeeper trying to break into the big league. His early games weren’t exactly fireworks, a duck on debut and average returns in his first few outings.

But one man stood tall and said: "This guy is different. Let’s back him."

Dada Saw The Gold When Others Saw Gravel

Sourav Ganguly had an eye for raw talent and more importantly, the heart to back it. The list is long and legendary with the likes of Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag. All were hand-picked and groomed by Dada. And guess what? All of them became World Cup winners under MS Dhoni’s leadership years later. That’s the kind of ripple effect Ganguly had on Indian cricket.

But Dhoni was a different story. A wildcard. He hadn’t come through the conventional route. In fact, Ganguly didn’t even see Dhoni bat live before that famous Challenger series. But when he did in the nets? The fireworks were enough. Ganguly saw the strokeplay, the timing, the swagger and made a mental note: this guy belongs up the order.

And just like that, Dhoni was promoted to No.3 in a high-voltage ODI against Pakistan in Vizag. What followed was 148 off 123: raw, brutal, and unforgettable. A star was born that day but the script had been written earlier by Dada.

When Everyone Looked Sideways, Ganguly Looked Ahead

It wasn’t just about one innings. Ganguly had heard whispers about a keeper who was taking Kenya and Pakistan A bowlers to the cleaners in Nairobi. Dhoni had smashed century after century in that tri-series in 2004.

Back then, India were fresh off a historic tour of Pakistan with Parthiv Patel still in the mix. There was no room for experiments. But Ganguly tucked that advice away. And when the opportunity came, he acted.

Even Dhoni’s rough start in Bangladesh didn’t shake Ganguly’s belief. Dada wasn’t just giving opportunities, he was giving roles. “You bat at No.3 and go express yourself,” was the brief. That move unlocked the Dhoni we came to know: explosive, aggressive and unafraid.

From Ganguly’s Bench To Dhoni’s Throne

MS Dhoni ended his career with 17,000+ international runs, a cabinet full of trophies and the admiration of an entire generation. But the match that changed it all? That 148 at Vizag. The man who gave him that stage? Sourav Ganguly.

On Dada’s 53rd birthday, let’s raise a toast not just to his runs or wins, but to his vision. It takes guts to back someone who is raw. It takes a leader to bet on potential. And it takes a legend to hand the baton to another.