Since his playing days, Sourav Ganguly consistently wears his emotions openly on the field and off it. One of the most remembered moments from his captaincy era is when he makes Australia’s then-captain Steve Waugh wait for the coin toss during Australia’s historic tour of India, which the hosts win 2–1.
Over the past two decades, Ganguly has remained at the center of several controversies. These range from his highly publicized fallout with Greg Chappell to indirect disagreements with Virat Kohli during his tenure as BCCI President.
Here is a look at five controversial statements made by Sourav Ganguly.
#5 A Dig at Critics After India Wins the T20 World Cup 2024
The former BCCI President responds strongly to his critics following India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024.
In a conversation with Ajkaal on July 13, 2024, Ganguly states:
“When I handed Rohit Sharma the captaincy of the Indian team, everyone criticised me. Now that India has won the T20 World Cup under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, everyone has stopped abusing me for it.”
He further adds:
“In fact, I think everyone has forgotten that it was I who appointed him as the captain of the Indian team.”
During Ganguly’s tenure as BCCI President, Rohit Sharma is appointed captain across all formats. That decision proves successful as India goes on to win the T20 World Cup 2024 without losing a single match in the tournament.
#4 On Virat Kohli After Relinquishing Captaincy in 2021
Virat Kohli steps down from India’s T20I captaincy after the T20 World Cup 2021. He is later removed as ODI captain, before stepping down from Test captaincy at the start of 2022.
At the time, Sourav Ganguly serves as BCCI President. While Kohli expresses interest in continuing as ODI captain, the decision does not go in his favour.
Speaking on the reality show Dadagiri Unlimited Season 10, Ganguly addresses the issue and says:
“I didn’t remove Virat from captaincy. I have said this several times. He (Kohli) was not interested to lead in T20Is. So, after he made that decision, I told him, if you’re not interested to lead in T20Is, it’s better if you step down from entire white-ball cricket formats. Let there be a white-ball captain and a red-ball captain.”
#3 On Ricky Ponting’s Sacking as Head Coach of Delhi Capitals
Ricky Ponting parts ways with Delhi Capitals after a seven-year association, with the franchise officially confirming the decision on July 14, 2024.
However, Sourav Ganguly breaks the news a day earlier during an appearance on Aajkaal. He says:
“Let me break a news. head Ricky Ponting will not be the coach of Delhi Capitals. Geoffrey Boycott was right, as Ponting has not been able to take the franchise forward in the past 7 years. I have to speak with the franchise and ask them to look at Indian coaches. I will be the head coach. Let’s see how I perform.”
The statement draws attention due to its timing and the direct assessment of Ponting’s tenure.
#2 An Indirect Dig at Wives and Girlfriends
At a public event in Gurgaon in December 2021, Ganguly is asked how he handles stress in life. Responding humorously, the then BCCI President remarks:
“There is no stress in life. Only wife and girlfriend give stress.”
Although intended as a joke, the comment triggers backlash on social media. Several fans criticize the remark and label it sexist, leading to widespread online debate.
#1 Greg Chappell Controversy
The Greg Chappell–Sourav Ganguly controversy dominates headlines during the mid-2000s. Ganguly is removed as India’s captain, with Rahul Dravid taking over the role while Chappell serves as head coach.
Ganguly is eventually dropped from the Indian team before making a strong comeback in 2006.
Recalling that period during an interview on Headlines Today in 2011, Ganguly states:
“Because of Greg Chappell the dressing room was divided. Rahul Dravid is such type of a person who wants that everything goes smoothly. He knew that things were going wrong, but he had no courage to revolt and tell him (Chappell) that he was doing wrong.”
Ganguly openly criticizes Rahul Dravid for not supporting him in 2005, when he is dropped from the Indian team.
