Ganguly's comments spark retirement rumours

Shunned by all the franchises for the fourth edition, Sourav Ganguly's remarks on the IPL snub and his future in a television interview on Monday triggered speculation that the former India captain has retired from all forms of the game.

Asked specifically if he was retiring from all forms of cricket after being ignored by IPL teams, Ganguly said that he had retired from international cricket and there is no possibility of him playing in the IPL this season.

But his remarks were immediately interpreted as retirement from all forms of the game and television channels also got reactions from former cricketers on the development.

Soon after landing in Kolkata, Ganguly sought to clarify his position as hordes of mediamen waited for him at the airport.

"From where are you getting this conclusion? You should see the full interview," an irritated Ganguly said.

"It's only if I don't get the opportunity to play in IPL. If I play IPL, I will play other forms of cricket," Ganguly explained.

It was an interview with Headlines Today that triggered off the speculation, although Ganguly had not said anything categorically about his retirement from all forms of the game.

Asked specifically by the interviewer whether he has now retired from all forms of cricket, Ganguly said, "No, I don't think so."

"I have retired as an international professional player two years ago. That part is done. IPL is a huge platform. As far as that is concerned I don't think there is any possibility to play in IPL," he said.

Ganguly, who had retired from international cricket in 2008, was not bought by the 10 IPL franchises in the January 8-9 IPL auction and the Governing Council later shot down Kochi team's desire to take him after other franchises objected to it.

Asked if he is not going to play in the Ranji Trophy in future, he said, "I have not decided as yet."

The last Ranji Trophy match he played for Bengal was against Railways in New Delhi in December last year.

Ganguly said he was surprised at not finding a place in 10 IPL teams in which 70 Indians were selected as he was scoring runs in the Twenty20 tournament.

"I had the runs. I scored more than 500 runs last year. Players of my age such as Adam Gilchrist, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman are still actively involved. Honestly, I don't know why I was not picked.

"I haven't been able to put the finger on why I was left out. Cricketing logic and past form suggests I should have been picked," he said.

Ganguly said that IPL was a platform for the players who do not make it to the Indian squad and the Twenty20 tournament should not keep players out.

"Only 11 players can play for India. It is the platform for other cricketers. The rules of the game have been changed in the past. IPL is a Indian domestic tournament and every rule in a cricket tournament should allow an opportunity to play, not keep players out," said the left-handed batsman who has scored 7,212 runs from 113 Tests and 11363 runs from 311 ODIs.

Ganguly was offered a mentor's job by Kolkata Knight Riders' owner Shah Rukh Khan but said he did not want that role.

"SRK spoke to me about a possible role as KKR mentor. I don't think KKR needs a mentor. I see no role there. The team already has enough expertise in Whatmore and Akram. I wanted to play and not mentor the team. I didn't see myself in the sort of a role (Anil) Kumble has chosen (by Royal Challengers Bangalore)," he said.

"I don't think I am betrayed by KKR. It is a selection and they (the franchises) have their own perceptions. I don't think it is politics," he said.

Ganguly rubbished the notion that he brings a baggage with him or plays politics.

"I have played cricket, five years as captain and before that eight years under different skippers. I played my last two and half years of international cricket not as a captain. I have helped in building what Team India is today. And this doesn't come by playing politics," he said.

Ganguly said he would want to be a cricket administrator at some stage and would love to coach the Indian team if given a chance.

"I am mentally preparing myself for an administrator's role at some stage. I would love to coach the Indian cricket team as well."