'Sometimes I forget if I'm in Bangladesh or India'

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly shared fond memories of his time in Bangladesh bringing forward the reception he gets whenever he makes the trip across the border while attending the inauguration ceremony of the DNCC Mayor Cup 2023 as the chief guest on Thursday.

Sourav last came to Bangladesh in 2014 when India and Sri Lanka played the T20 World Cup final, a game Sri Lanka won. 

"The thing is that whenever I come to Bangladesh, I get the love of so many people that I don't know whether I am in India or Bangladesh," Ganguly told reporters during the event.

"I thank them for showing me so much love," he added.

He reminisced on his first tour and the friendships he developed. 

"As far as I remember, I first came here in 1989 with the U-19 side for the Asia Cup and from then on the relationship grew with Bangladesh. I have many friends here. You have heard of Mithu [BCB director Iftekhar Rahman] and he was my friend from those days. I did not come here for ten years but I have met his family and friends in various parts of the world.

Ganguly's first time as captain of the India Test team was against Bangladesh, who made their Test debut in the same match under Naimur Rahman Durjoy's captaincy. A ton from Aminul Islam had seen Bangladesh post 400 in their first innings.

"My first Test match as captain came on Bangladesh soil. My name will be attached to Bangladesh's cricket history since it was Bangladesh's first Test match and my first as India's Test captain. I still remember the Bangabandhu Stadium. When I got into the dressing room I was thinking 'what's this, will I lose my first game as captain?' But we came back to win the Test," he said.

The former BCCI president also thanked Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam for holding the tournament with the motto of creating a drug-free society.