Sourav Ganguly and Anjum Chopra have been inducted into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame for their contributions to the game. The apex board made the mega announcement on Saturday (July 11). Their induction is a fitting tribute to their contributions to the sport. “I am honored to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To have my name included among the cricket’s greatest players will remain one of my most cherished moments. Representing India and playing along with several greats of the game has been a privilege, and to now be recognized in this way is truly special,” Ganguly said after his induction.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Jay Shah for this huge honor, which I consider the highest recognition a cricketer can receive. This game has given me a lot, and I hope to continue to serve the game in the years to come. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my near and dear ones for their support over the years,” he added.
Considered the ‘god of offside’, Ganguly finished his ODI career with 11363 runs in 311 matches. He scored 7212 runs in 113 Tests. He was once India’s most successful captain with 21 wins. He captained India to the finals of the 2000 and 2002 Champions Trophy. India suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Australia in the 2003 World Cup final.
Anjum, a trailblazer in women’s cricket, played 12 Tests, 127 ODIs and 18 T20Is. She was part of the team that reached the final of the 2005 ODI World Cup. Chopra played her last game for India in 2012. She now works as a cricket expert.
“As a kid growing up in a sporting household, I had heard stories of cricketing greats and momentous achievements. A dream to play for India got instilled very early on. I was encouraged to think big by my parents, teachers and coaches who have always been there to support me during tough times,” Chopra said after her induction.
“I also got the timely support of administrators as I went on to wear the national colors with great pride. This honor – to be recognized amongst the game’s greatest – is an award for all those who have helped shape my career. I am thankful to all of them and delighted to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame,” she added.
Kevin Pietersen also inducted
Kevin Pietersen has also been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. The stylish batsman scored 8181 runs in 104 Tests and 4440 runs in 136 ODIs. His career came to an end in 2014.
“It’s a great honor to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To be recognized in this way and see my name beside so many of the game’s greats is truly humbled. It is the highest recognition a cricketer can receive, and I know it will take some time for it to fully sink in,” said Pietersen.
