Ganguly is a great tease. I was always amused by Ganguly’s ability to irritate Australia’s on-field Mr Unflustered. Ganguly could melt The Iceman just by turning up late for the toss.

If he was Australian he’d be celebrated as a rascal and a larrikin, but as an opponent he’s rude, elitist, prickly, a time waster and serial pest who couldn’t play the short ball. I don’t know why, but I admire him for these weaknesses.

Sourav Ganguly tugged at the heartstrings in a way that no Indian cricketer has before or since.

The stadium was more than half-empty, but the several thousand dotted across seats of many different hues rose almost as one when he emerged from the dressing room and stepped across the rope. There were 15 minutes to go for tea, and there must have been a few thousand hoarse throats by the time he reached the middle to be met by an Australian guard of honour. Where Tendulkar was revered, Ganguly was reviled, but as he embarked on his final innings, old grudges were briefly forgotten.

From my vantage point near the radio commentary box on the northern side of the stadium, I could see the tension writ large on faces. Quite a few had "Dada" painted on their cheeks, alongside miniature Indian flags, and the placards were everywhere. On air, Mike Coward explained to Australian listeners what Dada meant, and also how he was likely to be remembered by millions of adoring fans.

As he marked his guard, the messages of goodwill and support froze in nervous hands. As Jason Krejza walked back to his mark, there was a lull after the emotional storm, with nails bitten and the sides of chairs clasped. The contest within a contest was appropriate in more ways than one. All those years ago, Ganguly had been a controversial pick for the tour of England, and his selection disparaged in the same way that Krejza's had been. Ganguly had responded with 131 at Lord's, Krejza with eight wickets in an innings.

From round the wicket, Krejza looped the ball up in the direction of Ganguly's pads. The left-hander's blind spot. Throughout his career, Ganguly's footwork to spinners was nigh on immaculate. This time, he leaned forward, but not quite quickly enough to tuck the ball away in the direction of mid-on. As the ball spun across the bat and took the leading edge, expectant faces struggled to comprehend what was happening. It was only when Krejza dived forward to take a sharp chance that reality hit home like a bucket of cold water.

For a split-second, nobody moved, except for jubilant Australian fielders and those waving the flag with untiring energy up in the stands. Ganguly stared, then turned on his heel and started the slow walk back. As he did, the pent-up emotions burst forth. Around me, people held on to railings and shouted out messages of affection. One young man was nearly suspended in mid-air as he mimed the "We're not worthy" gesture.

The applause was deafening. Anil Kumble got a magnificent farewell in Delhi, but Ganguly had tugged at the heartstrings in a way that no Indian cricketer has before or since. The last few years of his career were like reality TV, with no one able to look away. But like a man who knew the significance of a big occasion - who else would start with a century at Lord's? - he had saved his best for last.

Before the series, his average against Australia languished in the low 30s. He finished these four Tests with 324 runs at 54, a century in Mohali and 85 in his final game. And even Bradman didn't manage a golden duck for his farewell. Of the many things you might accuse Ganguly of, lack of a sense of theatre wasn't one.

Though never a poor man, Ganguly carried the reminder of every glove that laid him down or cut him. It inspired him to heights that few expected, and instilled in the group around him the belief that they too could touch the sky. As he walked off, millions and millions across a vast nation must have felt the sentiment that Wong Kar Wai expressed with such stark eloquence in his classic, In the Mood for Love. "The past is something he could see, but not touch. And everything he sees is blurred and indistinct..."

Nobody is a born captain. Most of the time, I have gone on instinct.

- When his captaincy was criticized.

I know what I am. People can label me as they like but it upsets me to hear the word arrogant being used against me. I am not arrogant. Not at all.

- On being called arrogant.

He’s a champion at everything. I really admire him. I am very impressed with the way he approaches life.

- On Rahul Dravid.

The thing I like most about Sachin is his intensity. After being in the game for so long, he still has the same desire to do well for India in any international match. I tell you what, this man is a legend.

- On Sachin Tendulkar.

I am not surprised.

- On Sachin Tendulkar getting 10,000 ODI runs.

Now I was not only the Prince of Calcutta, but I was the monarch of Indian Cricket. I could not comprehend the feelings and emotions that were rising inside me.

- On being appointed captain.

I am here to win games not popularity contests.

- On being criticized by the English media while touring England in July 2002.

I see things differently after Sana’s birth. An event like this changes everybody and it has changed me too. I have become more mature.

- On the birth of his daughter, Sana.

We went around for a long time. She is a lovely person and now we are married and blessed with a beautiful daughter, Sana. She is a terrific woman and has adjusted to our joint family so well that she does not even have time for me! So it’s all happy on this front. "

- About his wife, Dona.

We obviously don't get support from outside, so we support each other and will continue to do so whatever happens in the rest of the tournament.

- On why the ‘huddle’ was invented during the World Cup.

After all the rubbish that was published in the media, I thought it was all over. It hurt very badly.

- Reflecting back on the disastrous Australian Tour in 1992 where media was full of stories on his attitude problems.

I enjoy captaincy. A Captain has to take the responsibility of guarding the interest of his players.

- After being named Captain of the Indian cricket team.

I have scored centuries in matches where Shoaib has bowled and to hear that I'm uncomfortable against him is rather surprising.

- Denying observations that he cannot face Shoaib Akhtar.

Every individual needs to be handled differently. One person might need a pat on the back. Another, an arm around the shoulder. But to seniors like Azhar, Sachin, Ajay, Anil and Javagal, a quiet word would do.

- On how he handles his superstar teammates

There have been angry reactions back home and that is understandable because of our poor showing against Australia. But true supporters are this who not only jump up with the team’s victory but also stand by the team in times of defeats. I was shocked and disappointed to hear what the families of Dravid and Kaif have gone through.

- About the reaction of angry fans back home after India lost badly to Australia in the early stages of the 2003 World Cup.

One off day shattered our World Cup dream.

- After India got thrashed in the 2003 World Cup Final against Australia.

I am very hard on people on the field. But once we are off it, I forget the whole issue and don’t bring it up.

- On how he is as a captain.

Blood came out like water as soon as the gauze was removed. This is life.

- Talks about the boil on his thigh that forced him to miss the Mohali Test in October 2003.

In no other country is a team written off even before its departure.

- Slams the Indian critics who predicted that India would be thrashed by the home team when they toured Australia in December 2003.

I believe in my ability to score runs and that is what I look to do. It happens sometimes that people get after you. But you have to take in your stride. It’s a professional sport so one has to go ahead.

- After he scored a ton against Australia at Brisbane and proved all his detractors wrong.

We know, and they know, that we can beat them.

- said a rather cocky Sourav after beating Australia.

That's in the past now. We mature as time goes on and I've been captain for three years now, so you start realising things and go ahead.

- Sourav plays down his gamesmanship which got him on the wrong side of Steve Waugh during the 2001 series in India.

You’ve all seen it on TV. We all know the truth don’t we?

- Commenting on a beamer from Shoaib Akhtar during India’s tour of Pakistan in March 2004.

I am a big fan of Kaif. He bats at no. 7, the most difficult position in one-day cricket and he keeps coming up with knocks like this one.

- He said of Kaif after the ecstatic victory in the 4th ODI in Lahore in the Samsung Cup 2004 that kept India in the series.

We will try and pull the chain and stop the train midway!

- When asked how his team plan to counter Shoaib Akhtar, known as the Rawalpindi Express.

To be honest I do not believe in sitting back and taking things which are not right. If it is right, I am up to it, I listen to you, and try to rectify. But if you are not, I am not a sort of person to sit back and listen.

- Ganguly told PTI in an exclusive interview.

I was probably the most loved man when we beat Australia in a Test series a few years back. But I am often the most hated man in India.

- Sourav said about fans in India and their angry reactions when the Team India loses.

(Smiles)... Doesn't make me a rebel.

- On marrying Dona against the wishes of his family.

Don't stand under the sun waiting for me. I am not going to say anything.

- Sourav refuses to comment on his exclusion in October 2005.

I told my boys that I have kept my record of losing finals intact.

- Sourav Ganguly lets out a wry smile after East Zone lose in the Duleep Trophy final.

Whatever is appearing in the media claiming he has attitude problems and doesn't have good relations with his colleagues is all rubbish. I myself talked to the senior players and there was not a single complaint against Sourav.

- BCCI President Sharad Pawar rubbishes talks of Sourav being a 'demotivator'.

Lara is blessed with great ability. Both Lara and Sachin together with Gavaskar are the three legends of the game. – Sourav on Lara's record 34th Test 100.

It happens... it happens when two friends fight. I was angry, especially when it came from someone whom you knew for quite some time. You say lot of things when you are angry, but they may be or may not be from the heart. – Dada on spat with Chappell and patching up if given a chance.

Then, in the 2003 series (on India's tour to Australia), Steve (Waugh) said that let's be on time for the toss now. I said: 'If you behave, I will'. - Sourav

It's true, a lot of people said I should retire but I still feel I have it in me to play those innings again, and perhaps even better ones. Why else would I be fighting to get back into the Indian team? – Dada on whether he can return to International cricket after being dropped.

Sourav and I try to spend more time with our daughter and we are more busy in grooming her as a good human being. – Dona when asked if Sana would be a cricketer or a dancer.

God has been kind... What else can I say? Nothing would’ve happened without God... I’ve been blessed. - Sourav on his return to the Indian team in Jan 2007.

I don't feel any kind of pressure. There would be some pressure as captain but I am going as a normal player, so I am free. - Sourav before leaving for the 2007 World Cup in West Indies.

Signature By Sourav Ganguly

If Anil Kumble was the colossus, Sachin Tendulkar the champion, Rahul Dravid the craftsman, VVS Laxman the sorcerer, then Ganguly was the inspiration.

It has been an astonishing career. Some men prefer to follow a predictable path and their stories tell of a slow rise to the top and an equally measured decline. To that end instinct is subdued, contention avoided and risk reduced. That has been altogether too dull for Ganguly. Throughout he has toyed with his fate, tempting it to turn its back on him so that once again he could surprise the world with a stunning restoration. Something in him rebelled against the mundane and the sensible. He needed his life to be full of disasters and rescues, and comebacks and mistakes and memorable moments. To hell with the prosaic. At heart he is a cavalier, albeit of mischievous persuasion.

Taken as a whole, his contribution has been a triumph. It is no small thing for a boy from Kolkata to make it in Indian cricket. Till then local players were regarded as soft touches, and Ganguly himself was so categorised in his early days. Whereas the Mumbai-ites had risen through a rigorous system and the outstation boys had fought every inch of the way, the Bengalis seemed to lack the toughness required to make the grade. Ganguly changed all that. Indeed it was one of the many tasks he set himself. Always he has pitted himself against presumption and always he has prevailed.

Heavens, he even managed to time his departure as sweetly as ever he did any cover-drive. Before the series began he disarmingly announced that these four Tests against Australia were going to be his last. At a stroke his announcement put an end to speculation that he might lose his place. Ganguly is shrewder than he pretends. Just for a day or so it seemed that he might not get his way as reports spread of indiscreet remarks supposedly made about Robin Uthappa's hair, but Ganguly disowned the comments, even the splendid one about "every Tom, Dick and Harry" playing in the team. And so, once again, he lived to fight another day. Mind you, he let them hang in the air for 72 hours! That was typical Ganguly: at once the hero and the villain.

As captain he was an uplifting figure prepared to stand up for his players. It is easily forgotten that his captaincy started with Indian cricket at its lowest ebb. Hereabouts India was extremely lucky to have at its disposal a superb group of senior players untouched by those dire events, and a new captain free from the insecurity and greed that had undone his predecessor. Accepting money from grubby sources was, one sensed, beneath Ganguly. He just did not move in those circles or think along those lines.

Not that Ganguly alone deserves all the credit for India's swift recovery. Around him could be found a resolute and principled bunch of cricketers. They needed someone to blow the bugle and Ganguly obliged. That is leadership. Alone among the cricketing nations, his Indian side repeatedly troubled the Australians. Under his leadership the team prevailed in England, daring to bat first on a Headingley greentop. ndeed the very image of Indian cricket changed - a process started by Sunil Gavaskar and completed by Ganguly and companions. No longer does anyone talk about timidity against fast bowling or languishing overseas. Driven in varying degrees by pride and professionalism, the now-departing generation acknowledged these weaknesses, confronted them and corrected them.

Ganguly was at his most effective against the Australians. Somehow he sensed that the two nations had a lot in common, though they knew it not. But he felt that his players were unduly intimidated by the reputations and muscularity of these opponents. Accordingly he set out to convince them that the Aussies were human and could be beaten. In India he turned up late for the toss, a cheekiness that began as an accident and became an amusing tactic. It worked. The Australians became riled and started to play the man and not the ball. They had fallen into Ganguly's trap. His players could see that he was neither scared nor scarred, and enjoyed plucking the giant's beard. As captain Ganguly understood the value of gestures, the importance of appearances.

By no means, though, was it all gestures. Ganguly was the real thing, or else he could not have carried his players along with him. In Australia in 2003-04 he knew that his struggling team needed him to lead the way in the critical hour with a captain's innings and in Brisbane he promptly produced a rousing, valorous hundred on a lively pitch against a rampant attack. It was this performance that confirmed, once and for all, that Ganguly was not as fragile as he seemed. A twig can be snapped but not even a tempest can uproot a tree. It also secured the respect of his initially reluctant opponents, who know a fighter when they see one. As far as the Aussies were concerned, Lord Snooty had earned his stripes. It is one thing to talk, quite another to follow up with deeds.

And now he leaves the scene. Although he has batted with silky serenity in this series, it is the right time to go. A man has only so many struggles in him. A player's supporters have only so many battles in them. Perhaps in the last few days of his career he will play his part in India's greatest cricketing feat, the downing of Australia not by miraculous deed but sustained ruthlessness. If so it will be no more than he deserves. Ganguly has been neither a genius or a saint or a great batsman, but he has served with distinction and leaves Indian cricket in a much better state than he found it.