This day, that year: When Sourav Ganguly played his final Test match

Today's date marks a significant event in history of India's Test cricket as one of it's finest players Sourav Ganguly played his ultimate Test match on this day in 2008 in Nagpur. It incidentally was VVS Laxman's 100th Test match.

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Indian team gave a fitting farewell to Bengal tiger as y beat Australia by 172 runs and also took away four-match Border-Gavaskar Series 2-0. 

India had won toss and chose to bat first. Indian batsman did justice to captain's decision of batting first as y posted a total of 441. Sachin Tendulkar scored a century while Virender Sehwag, Laxman, Ganguly, and Dhoni scored half-centuries.

An anti-climactic end to Ganguly's career

In reply, Australia mand 355 with Simon Katich scoring a century. India gained a lead of 86 runs as y began ir second innings. openers started well but once y fell, middle order collapsed. Ganguly who was playing his last innings had an anti-climatic end to his cricketing career as he was out for a golden duck off Jason Krejza's bowling. Team India was eventually bowled out for 295 setting Aussies a target of 382.

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This game see-sawed throughout. On  final day, Australia were chasing 382 for victory. However, in spite of some good batting by Matw Hayden and ors in top-order,  target and fifth-day pitch proved too much for Australians as y bundled out for 209 and hosts won match by 172 runs.

Return of Ganguly:  Captain

What stood out in this match was to see return of Ganguly, captain for a brief period. In a heart-warming gesture, Dhoni, who was captaining side for first time as full-time captain, offered Ganguly to lead side. Initially, southpaw refused, but when Dhoni asked for second time he obliged. He handled bowling changes and field placements. However, after three overs he found it difficult to focus, so handed it back to Dhoni saying it was his job.

Ironically, exactly on that very day eight years ago Indian legend had begun his captaincy career.

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