Sourav Ganguly made India a 'tough team': Nasser Hussain

There is no doubt that Sourav Ganguly changed the face of Indian cricket. Ever since he took over as captain in 2000, the team went through a transition period. During this phase, under the leadership of the Prince of Calcutta, the team tasted much success.

The side went abroad and won Test matches, which was something Indian cricket had starved for in the 1990s. In a recent conversation with cricketer commentator Harsha Bhogle, Nasser Hussain also credited the now BCCI president for this change.

During the conversation, the former England captain pointed out that he always gives credit to Ganguly for making India into a tough team. He said before Sourav took over as the captain the Indian team was a ‘nice team’. He exampled Mohammad Azharuddin and Javagal Srinath who were great players at their time and were the core of India’s ‘nice’ team before the Bengal player took over.

Before Sourav, India was a ‘nice’ team: Nasser Hussain

The commentator turned cricketer further said that the left-handed batter made the Indian team a tough side. He pointed out that there were characters such as Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh who had a fiery attitude.

“Before Sourav (Ganguly), India was a nice team, great players, Azhar (Mohammad Azharuddin), Javagal Srinath, they had some fantastic players, but before Sourav, they were a nice team. Very sort of ‘good morning, how you doing’, you know a bit like you Harsha (Bhogle) to be honest (light-hearted tone), very nice (and) pleasant. Ganguly made them a tough team”, Nasser Hussain said to Harsha Bhogle.

Nasser Hussain also said that Sourav Ganguly also made him wait at the toss like he famously did to Steve Waugh at the Eden Gardens Test in 2001. “Waiting for the toss for Ganguly, it is half past 10, 10.31 in England, ‘where is Ganguly’?” said Nasser. Harsha asked him “He did that to you too?”

“Steve Waugh, me, everyone (light-hearted tone),” Hussain said as both shared a laugh. Ganguly led India in 49 Tests and 146 ODIs between 2000 and 2005. During his tenure, the side won Tests matches in England, Australia and West Indies. The team won both the ODI and Test series in Pakistan in 2004. He also led India to the World Cup final in 2003 other than becoming the shared winners of the Champions Trophy in 2002.