Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 811 Wed. September 06, 2006  
   
Sports


Sourav reluctant to retire


"I am not retiring anytime soon," Sourav Ganguly said on Tuesday after being ignored by the national selectors for the Champions Trophy tournament to be hosted by India in October-November.

'Times Now' quoted the former Indian skipper as saying that he was in no mood to hang his boots despite being overlooked by the selectors for the past few months.

Ganguly also said he was not dejected by his omission as he had expected it.

"I expected it because they had picked the squad for Sri Lanka but not a single ball was bowled in the tournament. So obviously it would have been difficult to replace players and quite naturally they stuck with the same 15," Ganguly said.

"So, the question of dejection does not arise. The 15 which have been picked had to be picked because the boys did not get the opportunity in Colombo," he added.

The stylish left-hander said he would try to make his way back to the national team through his performances in upcoming domestic matches.

"The World Cup is a long way away. There is a lot of cricket to be played before that. I'm looking forward to the domestic season -- Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy. I'll try to score as many runs as I can." On who should be blamed for his ouster, Ganguly said, "I have no idea who it is. As a player, all I can do is concentrate on my cricket. So that's what I'm going to do." Asked if his average of the last few days could have been a factor for his exclusion, he said, "These are things of the past. Selectors have a certain idea, that's the way they are proceeding and we will have to wait and see what happens."

Meanwhile, Pakistan great Wasim Akram said that Sourav Ganguly need not be desperate to play for India and the time is right for the former captain to make a dignified exit from international cricket.

The legendary all-rounder said that Ganguly did not have to prove anything more and that timing his retirement correctly would round off a successful career.

"Sourav has been an outstanding leader for India, but I think it is now time he should hang up his boots," he said.

The former Pakistani captain said he had admiration for Ganguly but was disappointed he had not taken the tough but right decision on his retirement.

"This is a problem in our part of the world. Top sportsmen don't realise when is the right time to say goodbye to the game," Akram, who finished with 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets said.

"I don't think he now stands a chance of getting selected again in the national team."

Indian selectors again ignored Ganguly when they announced the ICC Champions Trophy squad on Sunday.