Dubai, July 11: Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, Anjum Chopra, and former England captain Kevin Pietersen have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. They are part of the ‘Class of 2026’, bringing the total number of inductees to 125. The announcement was made at a ceremony in Edinburgh.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah congratulated the three former captains, stating that their achievements will inspire future generations.
“I am delighted to welcome the new members into the ICC Hall of Fame. This is an honor for those extraordinary individuals whose accomplishments have greatly contributed to our sport. The players inducted this year represent the highest standards of excellence, each earning the respect of fans worldwide,” Shah remarked.
He added, “Sourav, Anjum, and Kevin have proudly led their national teams. On behalf of the ICC, I want to congratulate them on this well-deserved honor. Their place in the ICC Hall of Fame ensures that their achievements will be celebrated by future generations, standing alongside the greatest players in the sport.”
Ganguly, one of India’s most influential captains, transformed the national team into a formidable unit during his tenure. The left-handed batsman scored 7,212 runs in 113 Test matches and 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs. As captain, he led India to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000 and the finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2003. Under his leadership, the team also shared the Champions Trophy title in 2002.
Reacting to the honor, Ganguly said, “Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is a matter of great pride for me. Having my name among the greatest players in cricket will remain one of my most memorable moments. It has been a privilege to represent India and play alongside many legends of the game, and receiving this recognition is truly special. I sincerely thank Jay Shah for this immense honor, which I consider the greatest accolade any cricketer can receive. This sport has given me so much, and I hope to continue serving it in the years to come. I also want to thank my close ones and friends who have supported me throughout the years.”
Following a remarkable international career, Chopra became the second Indian woman to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. The stylish left-handed batsman was the first Indian woman to score 1,000 ODI runs and play 100 ODI matches. She played a crucial role in securing India’s first overseas Test victory in South Africa in 2002 and contributed significantly to the team’s memorable journey to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2005 final.
After receiving this honor, Chopra, the only woman inducted into the Hall of Fame, expressed, “Growing up in a sports family, I heard stories about cricket legends and their great achievements. The dream of playing for India took root at a very young age. My parents, teachers, and coaches encouraged me to dream big; they stood by me during tough times. I also received timely support from administrators, and I wore the country’s jersey with pride. This honor—being recognized among the legends of the sport—is a reward for all those who helped shape my career. I am grateful to all of them.”
Former England captain Pietersen was also honored for his career. He played a key role in England’s memorable Ashes victory in 2005 and was the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2010. Pietersen scored over 13,700 runs across all three international formats.
Pietersen stated, “Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor. To be recognized in this way and to see my name alongside so many legends of the game is truly a source of pride and humility. This is the greatest honor for any cricketer. I know it will take some time to fully appreciate this. I am proud to have played in all three formats of the game. I look back on my career with great pride and satisfaction. I want to thank the ICC for this wonderful honor, as well as my family, teammates, coaches, and everyone who supported me on my journey. This honor will always be memorable for me.”
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