DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday inducted former India batters Sourav Ganguly and Anjum Chopra along with former England batter Kevin Pietersen into the Cricket Hall of Fame.
With the three new additions, the overall number of Hall of Fame inductees has increased to 125.
The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame honors some of the greatest players in the history of the game, recognizing their outstanding achievements and contributions to cricket.
Ganguly, one of India’s most successful captains, amassed 18,575 runs in international cricket and played a pivotal role in the transformation of Indian cricket on the international landscape.
The southpaw made headlines on the international arena with a Test century on debut at Lord’s and later led India to the 2003 World Cup final against Australia. Overall, he led India in 149 ODIs, winning 76 out of them with a 52% win percentage.
After the announcement, Sourav Ganguly described the induction as an honor.
“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,” he said.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra also earned a place in the ICC Hall of Fame following a distinguished 17-year international career. She was bestowed with an honorary life membership of the MCC in 2016 and was widely regarded as India’s most dependable batter.
The right-handed batter scored more than 3500 international runs and became the first Indian woman cricketer to play 100 ODIs. Chopra grabbed two Player of the Match awards in the 2000 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, where she was also the vice-captain of the side.
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After the induction, Anjum Chopra hailed the support throughout her career.
“As a kid growing up in a sporting household, I had heard stories of cricketing greats and momentous achievements,” she said.
“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,” she added.
England great Kevin Pietersen was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Pietersen scored 13,797 international runs and averaged more than 47 in Test cricket and 40 in One-Day Internationals. He was a key member of England’s 2010 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup-winning team and was named Player of the Tournament.
The attacking right-hander was also selected in the ICC Test Team of the Year in 2007 and 2008, and the ODI Team of the Year in 2005, 2007, and 2009. He also became only the third England batter to reach the top of the ICC ODI rankings.
Pietersen said the induction was one of the greatest honours of his career.
“It’s a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To be recognised in this way and see my name beside so many of the game’s greats is truly humbling.”
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