Bangalore: Indian selection committee chairman and the man who brought back Sourav Ganguly into the Test squad Krishnamachari Srikkanth said on Tuesday that he was shocked to hear about the southpaw's decision to quit international cricket after the forthcoming home series against Australia.
"When Sourav discussed his plans with me and other teammates of his, I was truly shocked. I think he has served the country exceptionally well and probably must have decided to take it easy now. I personally think he has taken the decision at the right time. I only hope that he goes on a high by helping his team beat the world champions at home," Srikkanth said on Tuesday. Continue reading below
"He told me that he was fed up of the uncertainty over his spot in the Test side.
"Probably he must have had discussions with Anil (Kumble), Sachin and others before telling me and Hirwani about it. He was very calm when he told me about his decision," the chief selector added.
In fact, when the present selection committee picked Ganguly, there were speculations that the selectors did so to give the former captain an 'honourable exit' from international cricket, which seems to have come true.
However, Srikkanth evaded a direct question regarding this and went on to praise Ganguly, who according to him had a chat with two selectors (himself and Narendra Hirwani) before deciding to quit.
"Ganguly must have thought over it. He told me, 'Cheeka, I want to call it quits this is the right time for it.' I congratulated him and what else could I do when a man who has given so much for the country and for the game decides to quit. I am sure this is the right time for him to call it quits. I am sure all of you agree to it," Srikkanth said.
When the reporters tried to grill him about the main cause for Ganguly's decision, Srikkanth brushed aside the queries.
"Ganguly has served the country well and it is now time for him to go and let us keep it at that," Srikkanth said before leaving the stadium.
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