This splendid publication is dedicated to one of India's most successful captains, one who moulded a new team when India was at its lowest ebb, reeling from the betting scandal. There can be no argument about his cricketing genius, right from the time he scored a Test century at Lord's to the time he led India to the 2003 World Cup final.

The author says Sourav Ganguly is a unique blend of dashing cricketer, a fierce competitor, a flamboyant icon and a glorious leader. He remains an enigma in both forms of the game - Tests as well as ODIs. The numbers, when he retired in 2008, indicated that as an ODI player he is easily one of the best ever. Add to this his dynamic captaincy, which paved the way for unprecedented Test success for India. However, the jury is divided about his Test career, and the general consensus is that he was just about above average in Tests - no doubt his achievements in Tests pale in comparison to his ODI record and his greatness as captain.

In Tests, he managed 7212 runs at an average of 42.17, including 16 centuries and 35 fifties, in 113 matches.

But there is always a flipside to everything, according to Saptarshi Sarkar. Ganguly wasn't comfortable playing short balls in Test cricket and often got out because of mistimed hooks and pulls. Once bowlers realized this weakness, they had him dismissed in no time. He performed well in ODIs (11363 runs at an average of 41.02, including 22 centuries and 72 fifties, in 311 matches) as there was a restriction on short balls in this format.

Ganguly was always a big tournament player and big challenge motivated him immensely. In World Cup, he managed 1006 runs at an average of 55.88, including four hundreds and three fifties in 21 matches. In the Asia Cup (ODI), he amassed 518 runs (ave 51.80), including a hundred and four fifties, in 13 matches. In the ICC Champions Trophy, he aggregated 665 (ave 73.88), including three hundreds and three fifties, in eleven innings (13 matches).

His first love was football, and he played in the St.Xavier's school football team for four years. But an injury forced him to stop playing.

In a chapter, namely, Sourav 'Controversy' Ganguly, Saptarshi Sarkar has commented: "No Indian Test captain has been more reformist, multidimensional or pioneering as he was. However, controversy followed Ganguly around like a shadow, and his maverick ways added fuel to it. He has always been lauded for his batting style and captaincy but his cricketing journey was full of controversies. Controversy dogged him even after his retirement. He made more foes than friends in the international circuit, and incurred the wrath of match referees more than any other captain did."

The book is reasonably priced - a good buy for anyone who has followed Sourav Ganguly's career and wants the details all in one publication.

A wide-ranging book, reflecting a varied and interesting life, it is well worth reading, and will provide much to think and talk about.