Sourav Ganguly turns 49: Virender Sehwag recalls Dada's passion; Suresh Raina lauds his leadership skills

The cricket fraternity came together on Twitter to wish Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly on his 49th birthday.

Former Indian cricketers VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag were one of the first ones to wish Dada on Thursday.

Sharing a picture with Ganguly from their playing days, Laxman wished 'life's biggest joys' and 'never-ending bliss' for the birthday boy.



Former Indian opener Sehwag recalled Ganguly's passion and determination, saying that only few can match Dada.


Former spinner Harbhajan Singh shared four throwback pictures wishing his 'Captain' all the love.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who made his ODI debut under Ganguly in 2002, posted an emotional message. He lauded the fomer Indian skipper's leadership skills.

A day prior, Kaif had made another reference to Ganguly on his post for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's birthday - comparing the great captains of Team India.


Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad took a trip down the memory lane with a throwback picture of Mohammad Azharuddin, Laxman, Ganguly and Anil Kumble.


Left-handed batsman Suresh Raina said that Indian cricket will forever be grateful to Dada. "Thank you for bringing out the best in everything! Your passion towards cricket will always be an inspiration for generations to come," he wrote.


BCCI also wished the board's President with a montage.


Admiring his contribution on and off the field, BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah called Ganguly the ‘Prince of Kolkata’. "The nation has witnessed you evolving from a fearless cricketer to a visionary administrator," his caption read.


Royal Challengers Bangalore asked its 4.8 million followers their favourite memory of Dada, a man who revolutionised Indian Cricket.


Kolkata Knight Riders shared a series of posts on Dada' s birthday - one of which had a GIF featuring him in different jerseys.


The former Indian skipper played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs for India. He scored 18,575 runs across all formats in his international career. Ganguly led India in 195 matches across all formats winning 97 of those games.

The Prince of Kolkata called time on his career in 2008 after playing his last Test against Australia in Nagpur. The left-handed batsman continued to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) but retired from domestic cricket in 2012.