5 Players who got backing from Sourav Ganguly

Few Indian captains reshaped a team’s personality and pecking order like Sourav Ganguly did. His captaincy reshaped India’s batting intent and, crucially, his willingness to back players changed careers. Backing young talent was his signature move as he gave extended runs, moved players into new roles, and publicly defended those he believed in. 

Ganguly’s legacy isn’t only about runs or wins, but it’s about the allocation of trust. He repeatedly chose temperament and potential over safe picks, and those choices gave India several superstars and match-winners. Below are five players whose careers were visibly boosted by Ganguly’s trust in what he did for them, and why it mattered.

1. MS Dhoni 

Ganguly was among the key figures who first gave Dhoni a platform. Dhoni’s explosive domestic performances earned attention, but it was the selectors and captaincy environment in Ganguly’s India that created the space for Dhoni to thrive. Ganguly’s decision-makers repeatedly gave youngsters licence to play freely. Dhoni’s early India opportunities and the freedom to express himself in limited overs owe a lot to that climate. 

Beyond selection, Ganguly’s broader strategy of backing unorthodox talent, trusting match temperament over pedigree, allowed Dhoni to mature rapidly into a finisher and later a captain. In short, Ganguly didn’t build Dhoni, but his faith accelerated Dhoni’s rise.

2. Virender Sehwag 

Sehwag’s transformation into the world’s most destructive Test opener began with a bold idea: move him up the order. Ganguly was the brain behind that move, and the result was seismic. Sehwag’s intent suited the new role as he attacked from ball one, changed how fast bowlers were approached, and produced innings that re-wrote opening batting scripts. 

Ganguly’s support went beyond a one-off experiment as he backed Sehwag through early failures and kept faith when pundits questioned the move. That long rope paid off repeatedly, delivering several match-defining starts and giving India a consistent attacking platform.

3. Yuvraj Singh 

Yuvraj’s ability to clear the ropes was never in doubt, but his early international runs were patchy. Ganguly’s selection approach gave Yuvraj extended chances rather than quick drop-offs. That patience allowed Yuvraj to learn how to pace an innings, handle pressure phases, and become the multi-dimensional match-winner he later was in white-ball cricket and global tournaments. 

Ganguly’s willingness to defend and retain Yuvraj through rough patches meant the team kept a talent who would go on to produce tournament-defining innings and crucial bowling contributions when needed, and being the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup was a testament to that.

4. Harbhajan Singh 

Harbhajan’s 2001 heroics against Australia are legendary, but those moments weren’t preordained. Ganguly persisted with Harbhajan through seasons where the off-spinner had to fight for rhythm and selector confidence. The captain gave him overs, the tactical backing and the on-field faith that allowed Harbhajan to attack and set fields aggressively. 

That persistence allowed Harbhajan to evolve from a domestic hopeful into a bowler who could win Test matches, especially in home conditions. Harbhajan has often acknowledged how backing and opportunity at the right times accelerated his development. He openly admits how much he owes his career to his captain, Sourav Ganguly.

5. Zaheer Khan 

Zaheer’s peak as India’s strike fast bowler coincided with a period when Ganguly’s leadership prioritised attacking cricket and international competitiveness abroad. Ganguly backed Zaheer through form dips and workload questions, persisting with him in the XI and trusting him with new-ball responsibilities. 

That faith allowed Zaheer to develop the control and tactical acumen needed to bowl long, probing spells overseas, something India had lacked for long stretches before. Ganguly’s support wasn’t just a selection, but a public endorsement that kept Zaheer in the conversation until he became India’s primary overseas strike option.

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