Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has shared a fascinating story about Sourav Ganguly’s vulnerable side during one of the most challenging phases of the former India captain’s career. Dasgupta, who represented India in eight Tests between 2001 and 2006, recalled how Ganguly briefly questioned his future in international cricket before producing one of his most memorable Test centuries.

The incident dates back to India’s home Test against Zimbabwe in Delhi in 2002. At the time, Ganguly was under immense pressure after enduring a prolonged lean patch with the bat. The left-hander had not scored a Test century since November 1999, prompting growing criticism of both his batting form and his place in the Indian side, despite serving as captain. The lack of runs had sparked widespread debate about whether he could continue to lead the team.

Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, Dasgupta revealed that he had never expected to see Ganguly doubt himself. While the former skipper was known for his confidence and aggressive leadership, there were rare moments when the pressure became overwhelming.

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“Off the field, I have never seen him get angry or speak in a raised voice. I have also seen another side of him when things were not going well. That was an eye-opener for me because I never thought I would see that man in a situation where he was at times vulnerable, where he would question himself, asking, ‘Am I still good enough?’ Even then, those moments where he showed vulnerability were very, very rare,” Deep Dasgupta recalled.

The emotional moment unfolded on the eve of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla. Dasgupta remembered sitting with Ganguly over tea when the India captain made a surprising confession that reflected the weight of expectations he was carrying.

“I still remember the Zimbabwe match in 2002. There was a lot of talk because he had not scored a century for a long time. We were having tea, and he suddenly said, ‘This is my last Test match. If I don’t score runs here, I’ll get dropped.’ I looked at him and said, ‘What are you talking about?'” Deep Dasgupta revealed.

However, Ganguly responded in the best possible fashion. Walking out to bat the following day, he silenced his critics with an unbeaten 136, registering his first Test century as India’s captain. It was a defining innings that not only ended his long wait for a hundred but also reaffirmed his importance to the Indian team.

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Dasgupta emphasized that Zimbabwe were a formidable side at the time, making Ganguly’s knock even more impressive.

“The next day he went out and scored a hundred. Zimbabwe had a very good bowling attack then, so it wasn’t an easy task. But that’s what made Sourav special. His fighting spirit and stubbornness were extraordinary. No matter how difficult the situation became, he always found a way to bounce back. That’s why you could never write him off,” Dep Dasgupta concluded. Ganguly’s remarkable comeback remains one of the finest examples of resilience in Indian cricket, highlighting how one of the country’s greatest captains turned self-doubt into a career-defining performance when it mattered most.