When Sachin Tendulkar threatened to end Sourav Ganguly’s career

Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar’s partnership in international cricket has inspired a lot of generations. Having scored 8,227 runs in 176 innings with 26 century stands at an average of 47.55, bowlers found it tough when the duo weaved magic in the middle. But there was a time when the Master Blaster got furious over Ganguly, threatening to literally end his career.

It was after India’s humiliating 38-run defeat against the West Indies at Barbados back in March 1997. Chasing a mere 120, the visitors were shot out for 81. Tendulkar, who was the skipper back then, was utterly disappointed with the team’s performance.

Ganguly, who made a comeback to the national team, went to console Sachin, trying to motivate him. Thereafter, he asked Sourav Ganguly to attend a morning run. But the latter didn’t go and it enraged the then Indian captain.

Sachin Tendulkar threatened to send Ganguly home

“Sachin gave a lesson to all the players in the dressing room, doubting himself on his abilities after the two-Test series. Sourav Ganguly, who was new to the team, went up to console the skipper. When he walked up to Sachin, the then captain told him to get ready for the next day’s morning run,” Journalist Vikrant Gupta was quoted as saying in Sports Tak.

“Ganguly did not turn up for it, and that is when Sachin threatened him that he will send him back home and end his career,” he added.

In the Barbados Test, India managed to take a 21-run first-innings lead and bowled the West Indies out for 140 in the second. But the pace bowling trio of Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop and Franklin Rose ripped the heart out of the Indian batting unit.

Sachin didn’t have the greatest record as the skipper of Team India. In Test cricket, the team could only win four of 25 matches, losing nine. In ODIs, India won 23 out of 73 games under his leadership.

Even as Sachin had his travails in leadership, Ganguly changed the face of Indian cricket with his attacking style of play. Currently, he is the president of the BCCI after being appointed for the role last year.