Former Indian captain and great batsman Sourav Ganguly represented Northamptonshire in the Vitality Blast T20 tournament in 2006.

Now you must be thinking that Team India players are banned from playing foreign T20 leagues as per the central contract, then how can Sourav Ganguly play in foreign leagues? Let us tell you that Ganguly’s tenure with Northamptonshire is before the Indian Premier League (IPL).

How was Sourav Ganguly’s performance in Vitality Blast?

The 52-year-old played nine matches for Northamptonshire in the 2006 Vitality Blast in England and scored 220 runs, including a half-century, at an average of 27.50 and a strike rate of 104.76.

His best innings of 73 came off just 51 balls in a match against Worcestershire at Northampton. The left-hander hit seven fours and four sixes in his brilliant innings before getting run out.

In May this year, a montage of Ganguly batting in the Vitality Blast during the 2006 season was shared by the tournament’s official X handle and it has gone viral.

Watch video- Sourav Ganguly batting in the Vitality Blast in 2006

The Blast has featured some iconic players over the years 🌟

Enjoy this montage of Sourav Ganguly back in 2006! pic.twitter.com/qFfDNLXBDo

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) May 21, 2024

Sourav Ganguly’s record in T20 format

Talking about Ganguly, the former Indian captain played 77 T20 matches and scored 1726 runs at an average of 25.01 and a strike rate of 107, which includes eight half-centuries. In bowling, he took 29 wickets at an average of 26.06.

Although he never represented India in the format, the former BCCI president played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League. He played 59 matches in the IPL and scored 1349 runs at an average of 25.45 and a strike rate of 106.81, including seven half-centuries. On the bowling front, he took 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.89.