ONLY CRICKETER TO RECEIVE FOUR CONSECUTIVE MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS

The ‘Prince of Calcutta’, Sourav Chandidas Ganguly is the only cricketer in the world to receive ‘Four-Consecutive Man of The Match Awards’. He did in the Sahara ‘Friendship Cup’ which was played between India and Pakistan at Toronto in Canada from 13-21 September 1997. India won this Five ODI Match Series by 4–1 and Sourav Chandidas Ganguly was also named as ‘The Man of The Series’ in this Sahara ‘Friendship Cup’ ODI Series. All these matches were played at Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.

Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, where this series was played

Sourav Ganguly had amassed maximum number of runs (222) and was also the ‘Highest Wicket Taker’ in this series. He took 15 wickets in that series.

Sourav Ganguly being interviewed by Ravi Shashtri in the post match ceremony after 4th ODI match of this series

Now, let us have a look at match by match performance of Team India and also of our Dada in that series-

• First ODI-

This match was played on 13th September. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and Sourav Chandidas Ganguly opened the innings for India. However, both of them got out early scoring 17 each runs respectively. Later on, India managed to score 208 runs with Mohammad Azharuddin scoring 52 runs and Ajay Jadeja scoring 49 runs. Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq took a ‘Five Wicket Haul’ against India.

Saeed Anwar and Ramiz Raja opened the innings for Pakistan and got out scoring 2 and 1 run respectively. The complete Pakistan Team got bowled out at 188 runs with Saleem Malik scoring the highest runs of 64. Harvinder Singh and Sourav Ganguly got 3 and 2 wickets respectively.

Ganguly celecrating after taking a wicket

India won this match by 20 runs and Pakistan were fined 1 over for a slow over rate as well as Mohammad Azharuddin took 4 catches in this match equalling to the fielding record for India (Sunil Gavaskar v Pakistan at Sharjah, Rothman's Trophy, 1984/85). Ajay Jadeja was awarded ‘The Man of the Match’ in that match.

• Second ODI-

This ODI was played on 14th September and again it was Pakistan who won the toss and they elected to bat first. The Indian bowlers put on a splendid show and bowled out the Pakistani Team for 116 runs. Saleem Malik was Pakistan’s highest scorer who scored 36 runs and was later caught and bowled by Sourav. DS Mohanty took 3 wickets and Sourav Ganguly, Robin Singh and Abey Kuruvilla took 2 wickets each with Sourav having the lowest economy rate of 1.77.

Sourav celebrating after taking the wicket of a Pakistani batsman (Source- IBN Live)

Sourav opened the innings alongside Saba Karim and scored 32 runs which included 4 fours. He was later caught by Inzamam-Ul-Haq and Saqlain Mushtaq was the bowler. However, India later won this match by 7 wickets and Sourav was named as ‘The Man of the Match’ for his remarkable performance with both the bat and the ball.

• Third ODI-

This match was originally scheduled on 17th September but was abandoned due to rain and it took place on the next day i.e., 18th September.

On 17th September, only 31.5 overs were played in which Pakistan batted first putting a final score of 169 runs with Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi scoring 74 and 47 runs respectively. Sourav Ganguly bowled 7.5 overs and took 2 wickets. After that the rain stopped play and later on, the match was abandoned.

The match had a reserve day and the match took place on the following day i.e, 18th September.The Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. India made a total of 182 runs with Mohammad Azharuddin scoring a highest of 67 runs followed by Robin Singh who made 32 runs in that innings. From Pakistan’s side, Mohammad Akram took 2 wickets and Aaqib Javed, Azhar Mahmood, Saleem Malik and Saqlain Mushtaq got 1 wicket each.

Pakistan got off a good start with openers Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi scoring 22 and 44 runs respectively. But, Sourav Ganguly turned the tables by his splendid bowling performance and complete Pakistani Cricket Team got out for just 148 runs. Ganguly took a ‘Five Wicket Haul’ in that match conceding just 16 runs in his 10 overs. He was named ‘Man of the Match’ later for his significant performance with the ball.

Dada took a ‘Five wicket Haul’ in this match

• Fourth ODI-

This match took place on 20th September and match was reduced to 28 overs a side due to early morning rain and wet outfield. India finally won the toss in this match and Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar chose to bowl first. Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi were the openers who scored 30 and 2 runs respectively. Pakistan’s final score at the end of 28 overs was 159. Azhar Mahmood was the highest run getter from Pakistan’s side scoring 33. Harvinder Singh and Sourav Ganguly took 2 wickets each whereas Abey Kuruvilla and Debashis Mohanty got 1 wicket respectively.

Sachin and Sourav opened the innings for India and Sachin was caught by Moin Khan and he returned to the pavilion scoring 2 runs. Sourav along with Ajay Jadeja took India to victory with only 3 balls remaining. Ajay Jadeja scored 37 and ‘The Maharaja’ scored a massive 75 runs.

‘The Prince of Calcutta’ playing a sweep shot during his innings

Because of his brilliant performance in both batting and bowling, Sourav was entitled with ‘Man of The Match’ n this match as well.

• Fifth ODI-

Pakistan won the toss and Pakistan’s then captain Ramiz Raja elected to field first. The openers Sourav and Sachin got India to a flying start with Sachin scoring 51 runs and Sourav scoring 96 including 5 fours and 2 sixes. Indiascored a total of 250 runs with Mohammad Azharuddin scoring 50 at middle order. Azhar Mahmood took 2 wickets and Saqlain Mushtaq and Aaqib Javed took 1 wicket respectively.

Sachin Tendulkar was the Captain of Indian side in this series

Shahid Afridi and Ijaz Ahmed started the innings for Pakistan and gave a solid start with each scoring 39 and 60 runs respectively. Inzamam-Ul-Haq and Hasan Raza scored runs in the middle order and Pakistan chased the target of 250 with 5 wickets remaining. Abey Kuruvilla was the most expensive bowler from India’s side who gave 80 runs. Ganguly and Harvinder Singh took 2 wickets each in this match. For his all round performance, Sourav Ganguly was awarded with ‘Man of The Match’ and ‘Man of the Series’.

Sourav Ganguly was Awarded with a remarkable total of ‘4 Man of The match Awards’ in this series. He was also ‘The Man of The Series’. (Pic Courtsey- www.edubilla.com)

This record of getting 4 consecutive ‘Man of The Match Awards’ has not been broken by any player till date.

Team India with The 1997 Sahara ‘Friendship Cup Trophy’.