One man...one PRINCE

That was the time when cricket was being talked about for all non-cricketing reasons. That was the time of bookies. Playing, let alone leading a team, needed so much motivation.

That was the time even a stalwart like Sachin wilted under the pressure of captaining Team India. That was the time when few legends,until then, painted their names black by earning money through means that is best not discussed.

That was the time, one man stepped up to take the thorny baton in his hands. Arrive Sourav Ganguly, the Prince and fondly DADA.

To take it up from there in 2000 and building a team that storms in to 2003 WC final is no mean achievement (all be it, we lost the finals). Today much of Indian cricket owes to his foresightedness. He transformed a bunch of boys in to men and instilled in them the confidence to look in to the eyes of opposition and not to fade away like a dew drop in a broad daylight. He has been the definition for phoenix, rising every time written off.

2002-2005 were not best of his days. But captaincy has taken a lot out of every Indian captain. He had to give away his favorite opening slot to Sehwag to build for future. And after an unfortunate row with Chappel, he was gone. And he was not talked about. Fair enough, owing to his batting performances.

But once he made his comeback, the last two years were awesome. And still gets dropped. Enough, he thought. For he is DADA. He commands. And so he hangs up the boots. A masterful, eventful journey is about to end. I have the same feeling as the kid who knows his horse ride in the beach is about to end. With heavy heart, I bid adieu to my star!

Dada, you rock! You are a LEGEND!