Cricket icon and Kolkata-based former international cricketer Sourav Ganguly has joined Tiigers of Kolkata as Co-Owner and Mentor for Indian Street Premier League Season 3, scheduled to be played at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, Surat, from January 9 to February 6.
His induction as a co-owner marks a long-term association with the franchise, aligning his cricketing philosophy and leadership experience with the Tiigers’ broader vision, while his mentoring role places him within the team structure focused on player development.
Ganguly brings experience across playing, leadership, and administration roles. The seventh-highest Test run-scorer for India and the fourth-highest in ODIs, known as “Dada,” he aligns with Tiigers of Kolkata in a league structured around a T10 tennis-ball format. ISPL’s format draws from gully cricket, where instinct, timing, and decision-making shape outcomes, with the objective of supporting structured pathways for street-level cricket talent.
Sourav Ganguly, Co-Owner and Mentor, Tiigers of Kolkata said, “I’m excited to begin this new journey with Aspect Sports and Tiigers of Kolkata as a co-owner and mentor. Tennis-ball cricket has always been close to the roots of the game. That foundation is especially strong in the East and across Kolkata. My focus will be on helping these players shape their natural instincts into match-winning habits, while creating a clear pathway for growth. Development needs clarity, trust, and patience, and I’m glad to be part of a setup that values all three.”
Ganguly’s playing and leadership career included more than 11,000 ODI runs and a batting approach associated with off-side play. His tenure as captain was marked by a focus on belief, structure, and backing younger players. That experience now becomes part of Tiigers of Kolkata’s ownership and mentoring framework, extending from team strategy to player development planning.
Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures and Co-Owner, Tiigers of Kolkata said, “Our vision for Tiigers of Kolkata has always been to grow cricket across the country, with a strong focus on the East and its deep pool of raw talent. Having Sourav Ganguly join us as a co-owner is incredibly special. He is a living legend of Indian cricket and someone who understands grassroots development better than most. His belief in backing players early and building strong foundations aligns completely with our long-term vision, and his presence gives Tiigers both credibility and direction as we build for the future.”
Suraj Samat, League Commissioner, Indian Street Premier League said, “Sourav Ganguly’s association with the Tiigers of Kolkata franchise at the Indian Street Premier League adds immense value to the ecosystem we are building. His journey as a player, captain, and leader has always been about strengthening structures and trusting talent at the grassroots. As ISPL continues to grow as a platform for street and tennis-ball cricketers, his involvement with the team elevates both the league’s credibility and its long-term vision.”
Tiigers of Kolkata enter Season 3 retaining all-rounder Bhavesh Pawar, their highest signing Saif Ali at ₹23.65 lakh, along with Saroj Pramanik and Rajat Mundhe. The squad also includes Hritik Patil, Shivam Kumar, Arish Khan, Krushna Gawali, Vivek Mohanan, Firdos Alam, Prabjot Singh, Kiran Pawar, Mahesh Nangude, Vivek Shelar, Pavan Kene, Karan More, and under-19 players Himanshu Patil and Ankit Yadav.
With Ganguly joining both the ownership group and cricket operations as co-owner and mentor, Tiigers of Kolkata approach ISPL Season 3 with a structure focused on long-term development, regional representation, and sustained team planning.
