Sourav Ganguly reveals how his exclusion by Dilip Vengsarkar effected his retirement

Sourav Ganguly reveals how his exclusion by Dilip Vengsarkar effected his retirement

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In his upcoming autobiography “A Century Is Not Enough”, Sourav Ganguly has revealed how Dilip Vengsarkar’s decision to exclude him from the Rest of India squad in 2008 had prompted him to think of retirement. He also went on to disclose his chat with Anil Kumble that forced him to continue.

The former India skipper’s sudden decision to retire in 2008, when he seemed to be in peak form after leaving behind the Greg Chappell fiasco, had raised many eyebrows. And in his autobiography, Ganguly decided to disclose the incident, which had first prompted the southpaw to ponder over his retirement.

After being dropped from the team and stripped of the captaincy in 2005, Ganguly had made a strong comeback over the next two years that was enough to put him back on the national team. However, Ganguly revealed that his sudden exclusion from the Rest of India squad in 2008 by then selector, Vengsarkar, even after scoring over 1000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, had given him a clear indication that he wasn’t needed in the squad anymore.

“After having scored consistently for the last three and a half years for India? But why? It can’t have been my skill as I had only failed in one series in Sri Lanka where, apart from one batsman, none of my colleagues had done well. Yet they had all got picked,” wrote Ganguly in the first chapter of his book.

“People talk about the plusses of being a successful sportsman. The fame, the money and the high that it brings. Not many understand the tough side of the lives of sportsmen. Not only does age catch up with you but even after a glittering career you continue to be judged by others. This scrutiny decides your fate,” Ganguly added.

Pondering over his next course of action, Ganguly’s first move was to confirm it from long-term teammate and friend Anil Kumble, who had assured him that he would definitely pick him up if the matter remained in his hands. 

“I asked him point-blank, did he think I was no longer an automatic choice in his eleven? Kumble – the gentleman that he has always been – seemed embarrassed with my call. He told me he hadn’t been consulted before the selection committee chaired by Dilip Vengsarkar took this decision… Kumble’s reply consoled me. He said if it came to him taking the call, he would pick me again for the upcoming Test match selection. I heaved a great sigh of relief. There was hope after all. I had two choices then. One, do nothing – sit back at home, watch TV and wait for the team selection. That would have been nerve-racking,” Ganguly stated.

Ganguly had then decided to participate in the fringed JP Atrya Memorial Trophy in Chandigarh. This resulted in his name being included in the first two Tests against Australia as well as the Board President’s XI under the new selection committee under Krishnamachari Srikkanth. However, the message was loud and clear and Ganguly decided to call it a day rather than staying on trial before every team announcement.

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