Laxman says Ganguly recognised match-winners and backed them to the hilt

Sourav Ganguly has many facets to his personality God of off-side, India's most successful captain, comeback king and so on. As his era came to an end at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium yesterday, people remembered him for different things. But it's as a captain that he has left a legacy, which will inspire future generations.

He was a born leader and VVS Laxman, one of the players who blossomed under his leadership, said Ganguly was the best because he backed his match-winners.

"He knew who the match-winners were in the team and he used to give them confidence. In a sportsman's career, there are going to be a lot of ups and downs but once he knew that a player is a match-winner, he believed that even if he is going through a low phase, one or two knocks will change his mindset. That he will come back to his normal rhythm and flow and win matches for the country. That is what Ganguly did," said Laxman, whose innings of 281 against Australia in the second Test of the 2001 series at Kolkata gave an impetus to his personal career and Ganguly's captaincy. Ganguly, who played in 113 Tests, captained India in 49 and won 21 of them.

Change in outlook

Laxman, for whom Nagpur was a special match too being his 100th, said Ganguly changed the outlook of the Indian players.

"Sourav has probably changed the way Indian players look at Test cricket. When he took over as captain, he was tremendous. And in the 2001 series, it was the first time when an Indian captain went after the Australian captain. It gave a lot of confidence to all the players," said Laxman.

He said it was an emotional moment to part with someone you have shared the dressing room for so long. "It is a very emotional feeling because we have all become more like a family. At the same time, it is a time to celebrate and look back at his performances. It is the nature of the game that at some stage you have to stop.
He has had a great career and it's time to enjoy his successes. It's highly satisfying that all of us have taken Indian cricket to the next level."

It was only ironical that the date of Ganguly's last day in Test cricket was the same as his first day in-charge as Test captain. He took over the reins first in 2000 against Bangladesh. Life has truly come a full circle for India's super captain.