Former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Anjum Chopra, along with ex-England skipper Kevin Pietersen, were inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame on Saturday, joining cricket’s most exclusive list in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the game.
The three legends make up the ICC Hall of Fame Class of 2026, taking the total number of inductees to 125. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Edinburgh, celebrating players whose achievements and lasting influence have left an enduring mark on international cricket.
Congratulating the trio, ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed their impact on the sport and said their legacies would continue to inspire generations of cricketers.
“I am delighted to welcome the latest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame… Sourav, Anjum and Kevin have all led their national teams with pride, and this honour ensures their achievements will be celebrated for generations to come,” Shah said.
Ganguly’s leadership reshaped Indian cricket
One of India’s most influential captains, Ganguly transformed the national team into a fearless and competitive force during his tenure. The elegant left-hander announced himself with centuries in each of his first two Test innings and went on to score 7,212 runs in 113 Tests and 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs.
As captain, he led India to the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy final, the shared 2002 Champions Trophy title, and the 2003 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final, laying the foundation for one of Indian cricket’s most successful eras.
“It’s a privilege to have my name among the game’s greatest players,” Ganguly said, describing the Hall of Fame induction as one of the most cherished moments of his career.
Chopra becomes only second Indian woman in Hall of Fame
Chopra became just the second Indian woman to receive the honour after a pioneering international career. She was the first Indian woman to score 1,000 ODI runs and the first to feature in 100 ODIs.
The former left-handed batter also captained India to its maiden overseas Test victory in South Africa in 2002 and played a vital role in the team’s run to the 2005 ICC Women’s World Cup final.
Calling the recognition a shared achievement, Chopra credited her parents, coaches, teachers and administrators for supporting her journey.
Pietersen recognised for match-winning career
Pietersen’s induction recognises a career built on fearless batting and match-winning performances. The former England captain played a key role in England’s famous 2005 Ashes triumph and was named Player of the Tournament when England lifted the 2010 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
He retired as England’s highest international run-scorer across all three formats combined, finishing with more than 13,700 international runs.
Pietersen described the Hall of Fame as the highest recognition in cricket, saying the honour would remain one of the proudest moments of his career.
Introduced in 2009 during the ICC’s centenary celebrations, the ICC Hall of Fame honours former players whose achievements have had a lasting impact on the sport. Players become eligible for induction only five years after their final international appearance, underlining the exclusivity of the honour.