5 life lessons we can learn from Sourav Ganguly

#1 Treat adversity as a platform for resurgence

Ganguly had the fortitude to fight his way back into the Indian team after the Greg Chappell episode

It is often said that one's character is only revealed during the time of adversity. While his adroit leadership skills as well as elegant stroke-play were well-documented during the first half of his career, Ganguly's single-mindedness truly came to the fore during the aftermath of the infamous Greg Chappell saga.

Upon clamouring for the Australian batting great to be appointed as John Wright's successor, Ganguly later found out that the bullet he had dispatched came back spiralling in his own direction to take a shot at him. He was not only stripped of captaincy but also ousted from the team which he had painstakingly fashioned in his own image. Unceremoniously consigned to the wilderness, the veteran responded by scoring a resilient century in the Duleep Trophy and went on to reclaim his place in the Indian team. In his renaissance period, the left-hander operated as a specialist batsman and amassed 3111 runs from 55 matches (across both Tests and ODIs) at an impressive average of 45.08. Eventually, he bowed out of the international arena on his own terms.

Extra Cover: Sourav Ganguly - The tiger that roared India to the top

If there's anything that is guaranteed in life, then it is probably failure. A glance of almost every successful personality's career reveals the common strand of defeat and subsequent resurgence. At a time when he could have easily opted to retire, Ganguly chose to battle his demons and made a stirring comeback. Having the aptitude to treat adversity as a platform for glory can make a crucial difference to one's mindset during despondence.