Sourav Ganguly arrives to attend a meeting in Mumbai. File

Gulf Today Report

Indian cricket legend Sourav Ganguly was rushed to hospital Saturday where he underwent a heart operation, doctors said.

The 48-year-old, who now heads the country's cricket board, suffered a heart attack while exercising at his personal gym in the morning and was immediately taken to Woodlands Hospital in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state.

"Sourav Ganguly has undergone an angioplasty and he is completely stable now," doctor Saroj Mandal told reporters outside the hospital, where crowds had gathered after hearing the news about their beloved former captain.

A medical team comprising five doctors has been set up to monitor his condition. Jay Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said he had spoken to Ganguly's family, and he was stable and "responding well to the treatment."

In 2019, Ganguly was unanimously elected president of the BCCI, the sport's most powerful body. After a successful playing career during which he captained his country's team, Ganguly was instrumental in organising the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE last year.

The left-handed opener retired from Test cricket in 2008 having accumulated 7,212 runs including 16 centuries — his first made at Lord's on debut. He also scored 11,363 runs in 311 one-day internationals. Ganguly — popularly referred to as Dada, which means "elder brother" in Bengali — enjoys massive popularity in the cricket-crazy nation and the news of his hospitalisation was the top trending news on Twitter.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Sad to hear that Sourav Ganguly suffered a mild cardiac arrest and has been admitted to hospital." Banerjee also wished him a speedy and full recovery. "My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family," the CM said.

India skipper Virat Kohli, who has returned to India from Australia, tweeted, "Praying for your speedy recovery. Get well soon (emoticon: folded hands) @SGanguly99."

Ajinkya Rahane, who is currently the national side's stand-in captain, tweeted: "Wishing you a speedy recovery Dada, @SGanguly99. Praying that you get well soon."

Current India pace bowler Mohammed Shami tweeted, "Get well soon dada (emoticons: broken heart) @SGanguly99."

"Praying for your speedy recovery Dada @SGanguly99," wrote India limited-overs batsman Shreyas Iyer. India pacer Umesh Yadav tweeted, "Praying for your speedy recovery @SGanguly99."

"My thoughts are with his family and fans at this hour. Hope to see him back soon," India coach Ravi Shastri posted on Twitter.