Sourav Ganguly's childhood coach Ashok Mustafi passes away after prolonged illness

Veteran Maidan coach Ashok Mustafi, who also trained former India skipper Sourav Ganguly during his early developmental years, breathed his last on Thursday morning after battling a prolonged illness.

Mustafi was 86 and was survived by a daughter, based in London. The veteran coach’s condition had deteriorated last month itself and Ganguly, along with his close friend Sanjay, had made all arrangements for his treatment.

“He was suffering from heart-related ailments and was admitted to a hospital in April. Early this morning he suffered a cardiac arrest and breathed his last,” a family source said over Mustafi’s condition, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Sourav Ganguly’s father had put him under Ashok Mustafi

In 1992, Mustafi had joined Howrah Union before associating himself with a coaching centre near his residence in Saltlake. He was also the coach of famous Dukhiram Cricket Coaching Centre which came into being under the Aryan Club galleries. Dukhiram Cricket Coaching Centre was once considered the nursery of Bengal cricket for its reputation of producing more than a dozen of Ranji cricketers including Ganguly.

Ganguly’s father had put the left-hander under Mustafi in his formative years as he took his early cricketing lessons along with his friend Sanjay Das. India’s resurgence was witnessed when Sourav Ganguly was at the helm as the Men in Blue climbed up to No.2 position in the ICC Test rankings. India won ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 (joint-winners) and made it to the final of the 2003 World Cup under Ganguly’s leadership.

‘Dada’ is regarded as the most successful Indian Test skipper overseas as he steered India to 11 triumphs along with giving chances to young prospects. Apart from his captaincy, Ganguly was also known for his flamboyant batting style. The Prince of Kolkata scored majority of his runs through the off-side.

He eventually bid adieu to the sport in 2008 after etching his name as one of the greats. The southpaw scored 7212 runs in the longest format at an average of 42.17 and also notched up 11363 runs in the ODIs at an average of 41.02. Ganguly scored over 100 half-centuries in his successful international career.