Day 1 of the IPL 2025 mega action witnessed some intense bidding wars and some tactical brilliance from all 10 franchises. The IPL auction is that one time when all the owners, team management and coaches come under one roof with the aim of building a strong team. However, this time, Jeddah witnessed the reunion of two of the legends of Indian cricket- Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. The official social media handle of the Delhi Capitals shared a heart-warming video of Dravid and Ganguly engaging in a fun chat during the auction buzz. Dravid took part in the auction as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals and Ganguly is the Director of Cricket of JSW Sports and was at the auction table with Delhi Capitals. There was also a glimpse of Ganguly interacting with Ashish Nehra.
The relationship between Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, two of Indian cricket’s greatest legends, has been one of mutual respect, camaraderie, and occasional differences. Ganguly and Dravid first played together in the Indian team in the mid-1990s and quickly became integral members of the squad. Ganguly’s aggressive captaincy complemented Dravid’s calm and methodical approach. When Ganguly was appointed captain in 2000, he relied on Dravid’s consistency as a batter and his tactical acumen. Together, they were part of India’s rise as a competitive force in overseas Test matches and ICC tournaments.
Full list of sold players on Day 1: Read here
The unexpected reunion
Ganguly and Dravid’s relation
Dravid was instrumental during Ganguly’s captaincy, especially in landmark victories. Their contrasting styles- Ganguly’s flamboyance and Dravid’s discipline-helped create a balanced team environment.
However, their relationship faced some strain when Dravid succeeded Ganguly as captain in 2005. This transition came during a turbulent time, with Ganguly being dropped from the team amid his fallout with then-coach Greg Chappell. Despite the controversies, Dravid maintained professionalism and never publicly criticised Ganguly, which showcased his character as a leader.
After retiring, both have spoken fondly of each other, emphasising their contributions to Indian cricket’s growth. Dravid has praised Ganguly for his leadership and vision, while Ganguly has acknowledged Dravid’s immense value as a player and captain.