Former Indian women’s captain Anjum Chopra and former Indian men’s skipper Sourav Ganguly were welcomed into the International Cricket Council’s esteemed Hall of Fame on Saturday.
During a lavish event in Edinburgh, former England captain Kevin Pietersen joined his Indian counterparts on the coveted list.
“I am delighted to welcome the latest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame, a tribute to the extraordinary individuals whose achievements have contributed greatly to our sport,” PTI quoted Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, as saying.
“This year’s inductees represent the highest standards of excellence, and each one of them has earned the admiration of fans around the world.”
Shah praised the troika for their enormous impact on the game.
“Sourav, Anjum and Kevin have all led their national teams with pride, and I would like to congratulate them on behalf of the ICC for this richly deserved honour. Their place in the ICC Hall of Fame ensures their achievements will be celebrated for generations to come, standing alongside the game’s greatest figures,” he added in a release issued by the ICC.
Ganguly called the moment a “cherished” one. At a time when the nation was rocked by accusations of match-fixing, Ganguly’s wise leadership changed the course of Indian cricket.
“I am honoured to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To have my name included among 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 recognised in this way is truly special,” he said.
Ganguly, who previously led the BCCI and amassed 18,575 international runs over the course of a nearly ten-and-a-half-year career, intended to maintain his connection to cricket.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Jay Shah for this huge honour, 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,” said the left-hander.
The opportunity to stand beside the greatest players in the history of the game is a huge honor, according to Chopra, who has switched to commentary since her playing days.
“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.”
She was the first Indian woman cricket player to score 1000 runs and played in 12 Tests, 127 ODIs, and 14 T20Is.
“…I went on to wear the national colours with great pride. This honour — to be recognised 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,” said Chopra.
