Sourav Ganguly's 10 best knocks in international cricket

#9 87 vs South Africa, Kanpur, April 11-13 2008

On a rank turner in Kanpur, Ganguly’s 87 helped India level the Test series

If it was swinging and seaming in 2006 when Ganguly made a comeback, two years later, during the return tour, a rank turner was put in place at Kanpur. Such was the influence of the surface on the match, and it took just 3 days for teams to get bowled out twice. Probably, testing times brought the best of Ganguly, as whenever the conditions were demanding and India needed someone to step up, the legendary cricketer was ready to take up the mantle.

In reply to South Africa’s 265 in the 1st innings, India registered 325 in their 1st innings, largely due to the 87-run knock by the former skipper who batted at No. 5, and Laxman’s 50, batting at No. 4. On a surface that was spinning right from Day 1, to bat for over three hours and make the best advantage of the opposition’s lack of quality spinners in their side, which they made up for by having one of the best fast-bowling attacks in the world – containing Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, and Morne Morkel – was no easy task. The Proteas were bundled out for 121 in their 2nd innings, and India chased the 62-run target with 9 wickets in hand. Ganguly was adjudged as the Man of the Match.