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The former Indian skipper is considered to be one of the finest batsmen of India, under whose leadership the Indian side performed well on foreign soil especially in Australia, Pakistan and England.

 

The cricketer has now taken up the task of promoting soccer and has launched Atlético de Kolkata team here. He is the co-owner of the team.

 

Ahead of his birthday, Sourav at the official launch of the team's jersey and logo on Monday, said, "Atlético de Kolkata is all set to epitomise core Bengali values and philosophy and provide the platform to nurture the raw talent available all across this state which produced some of the Country’s best footballers in the past."

 

"Along with the Government of West Bengal our initiative will continue throughout the year and draw up an extensive grass-root programme to discover and nurture these talents. We would strive to showcase the finest quality of football synonymous to an iconic club like Atlético de Madrid," he said.

 

While he was the captain of the Indian cricket team, he had guided the young Indian side to the World Cup final in 2003 in South Africa where they lost to Australia in the final.

 

He retired from the national team in 2008 after the Test series against Australia on the home turf.

 

Besides a cricketer he will always be remembered as a man who fought to return to the Indian side over and over again despite being dropped from the team for questionable reasons.

 

His disputes with former Indian coach Greg Chappell was the fodder for media and had his fans in Bengal rallying round him. 

 

In West Bengal Sourav Ganguly has a cult following almost and he is the favourite 'Dada' of Indian cricket. 

 

Sourav has also played for the Kolkata Knight Riders team of Indian Premiere League (IPL), and then for the Pune Warriors India.

 

In the 5th season of IPL, Sourav was appointed as the captain cum mentor of the team. Though initially the team started well, but later on lost the momentum.