Sourav Ganguly is one of major reasons why Indian team is enjoying the success it witnesses today. He transformed a team hardly winning overseas, to a team which looked threatening everywhere. He brought the golden era for Indian cricket. Therefore, he is one of the most loved athletes in the cricketing world. He is loved by many, but there was a time when he infuriated the British fans and players.

The story dates back to the year 2000. It was just some time since Sourav Ganguly was appointed as the captain of Indian team. And he was doing very well as a captain. His performance as a player also significantly improved as he played as the captain of Men in Blue. Looking at all these factors, and his 1999 world cup stats, county coach Bobby Simpson referred his name to Lancashire. Bobby having worked with team India in 1999 knew what addition Ganguly could do the Lancashire team, and so the deal was done.

The team welcomed him with both arms. However, one incident didn't go down well with them. County cricket is a part of England and Wales. And the British love to follow their traditions with all the efforts put in it. Before every county season began, there was the welcoming ceremony for which every team member was expected to be present at the venue dressed like gentelmen in suits. Also they are expected to interact with the fans. And all of the players were following the tradition. But not their latest signed star.

While every English Players were enjoying the moment with the fans and the attention they got, Ganguly was not much interested in it. And when Flintoff and all his Lancashire teammates were in the middle of the event, every fan looked at Sourav Ganguly, who causally crossed the hall wearing practice trousers. Ganguly didn't even interact or wave the fans, and went directly into one of the corners of the hall. The English traditions were broken, and so was the English fragile ego. The fans and the teammates were visibly furious about what Ganguly did.

And since then, the love-hate relationship between him and Brits began. Ganguly was a no-nonsense person. He never paid heed to any traditions which are not his country's. He didn't care about what others think, and always did what he thought was right. He never loved to socialize just for the sake of tradition, and he didn't. Even post that day, Ganguly either denied most of the team or teammates' invitations , or went there for a few minutes to be spent by himself before disappearing.

This heavily infuriated the English players. Which is why the British media as well wrote extensively about so called arrogance of Sourav Ganguly. Most of the former players went on to write rubbish about Dada, even after he performed well. The reason was the teammates' earlier interaction with subcontinent guys like Wasim Akram and Muralitharan, who were polite. But Dada meant business, he was to play and he just did that. But that didn't do well with the teammates. Result of which, the Lancashire dressing room never applauded when Dada scored a century or half-century.

This was just the first time when British were infuriated by Dada. After the Lancashire stint, he gave enough reasons for them to be in that zone, when India defeated England. He had done that prior to his Lancashire stint as well. However, the one's he did after the county stint, were more hurtful for English fans, players and media. And hence , barring Naseer Hussain, not many English players were his fans.

Andrew Flintoff , his Lancashire teammate therefore celebrated English Victory in Wankhede by removing his jersey in anger. And what happened the next year, is known to everyone. The Natwest Series 2002 final, where India defeated England after chasing 326, is a match etched in Indian fans' heart. And Sourav Ganguly removing his shirt at Mecca of cricket Lord's balcony, was the perfect response from him to entire country, which didn't appreciate him for what he was. He was real, and that's why he was rare. He was strong, and hence the hate didn't bother him at all as he continued to remain what he was. And in the process, he held his head , and India's honour high.