The International Cricket Council today honoured Sourav Ganguly, Anjum Chopra and Kevin Pietersen with induction into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame, celebrating three of the game\u2019s most iconic figures at a glittering ceremony in Edinburgh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Class of 2026 joins an illustrious group of cricketing greats whose remarkable achievements, enduring excellence and lasting influence have shaped the history of the sport. Their induction takes the total number of ICC Hall of Fame members to 125, further strengthening a roll of honour that pays tribute to former players whose legacies continue to inspire millions of players and fans across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, said:<\/strong> “I am delighted to welcome the latest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame, a tribute to the extraordinary individuals whose achievements have contributed greatly to our sport. This year’s inductees represent the highest standards of excellence, and each one of them has earned the admiration of fans around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Sourav, Anjum and Kevin have all led their national teams with pride, and I would like to congratulate them on behalf of the ICC for this richly deserved honour. Their place in the ICC Hall of Fame ensures their achievements will be celebrated for generations to come, standing alongside the game’s greatest figures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Launched in January 2009 as part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, the ICC Hall of Fame honours those whose achievements, skill and lasting influence have shaped the game’s rich history, ensuring their legacies endure for generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Players become eligible for induction only five years after their final international appearance, preserving the ICC Hall of Fame as an exclusive tribute to those whose contributions have left an indelible mark on cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sourav Ganguly:<\/strong> “I am honoured to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To have my name included among the cricket’s greatest players will remain one of my most cherished moments. Representing India and playing along with several greats of the game has been a privilege, and to now be recognised in this way is truly special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. Jay Shah for this huge honour, which I consider the highest recognition a cricketer can receive. This game has given me a lot, and I hope to continue to serve the game in the years to come. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my near and dear ones for their support over the years.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin Pietersen:<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s a great honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. To be recognised in this way and see my name beside so many of the game’s greats is truly humbling. It is the highest recognition a cricketer can receive, and I know it will take some time for it to fully sink in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI feel privileged to have played across all three formats of the game, and I look back on my career with immense pride and satisfaction. I would like to thank the ICC for this wonderful honour, as well as my family, teammates, coaches and everyone who supported me throughout my journey. This recognition is one I will cherish forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anjum Chopra:<\/strong> \u201cAs a kid growing up in a sporting household, I had heard stories of cricketing greats and momentous achievements. A dream to play for India got instilled very early on. I was encouraged to think big by my parents, teachers and coaches who have always been there to support me during tough times.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI also got the timely support of administrators as I went on to wear the national colours with great pride. This honour – to be recognised amongst the game\u2019s greatest – is an award for all those who have helped shape my career. I am thankful to all of them and delighted to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brief profiles of the inductees:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sourav Ganguly<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An elegant left-hander known for his sublime strokes through the offside, Ganguly started his Test career with centuries in his first two innings and went on to also excel in ODI cricket. His biggest accomplishments, though, came as captain as he groomed a crop of players that took the team to great success. He finished his career as India\u2019s most successful captain at that time, leading the teams that made the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000 and the ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup in 2003 and was also captain as India were declared joint winners of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 113 Tests 7212 runs at 42.17 32 wickets at 52.53<\/p>\n\n\n\n 311 ODIs 11363 runs at 41.02 100 wickets at 38.49<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anjum Chopra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A stylish left-hander who also led India for a long time, Anjum was the first Indian woman cricketer to reach 1,000 ODI runs and the first to play 100 ODIs. She made notable contributions in India\u2019s campaigns in the ICC Women\u2019s World Cup in 2000 and when India made the final for the first time in the next edition in South Africa. She also captained India to their overseas Test victory in South Africa in 2002. Her highest Test score of 98 came in the 2006 victory over England at Taunton, which helped her earn a nomination for the ICC Women\u2019s Cricketer of the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12 Tests 548 runs at 30.44 2 wickets at 44.00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 127 ODIs 2856 runs at 31.38 9 wickets at 46.00<\/p>\n\n\n\n 18 T20Is 241 runs at 17.21<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin Pietersen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A flamboyant batter who was a key player in several of England\u2019s memorable moments during the time, Pietersen played a crucial role in the 2005 Ashes triumph when his 158 at The Oval on the final day of the series helped draw the match to seal victory. In 2006, he amassed 533 runs as England defeated India 4-0 at home to top the ICC Men\u2019s Test Team Rankings. He was the Player of the Tournament when England won the ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup in 2010, and three years later he became the highest run scorer for England across the three formats of the game combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 104 Tests 8181 runs at 47.28 10 wickets at 88.60<\/p>\n\n\n\n 136 ODIs 4440 runs at 40.73 7 wickets at 52.85<\/p>\n\n\n\n 37 T20Is 1176 runs at 37.93 1 wicket at 53.00<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The International Cricket Council today honoured Sourav Ganguly, Anjum Chopra and Kevin Pietersen with induction into the prestigious<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[69,441],"class_list":["post-14701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-release","tag-cricket","tag-icc"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t