Ganguly calls it a day, will retire after Aus series

"Before I leave, I have to make an announcement. This is going to be my last series. I have decided to quit. These four Tests are going to be my last," said Ganguly, winding up a routine press conference on Tuesday.

The announcement by the most successful cricket captain India ever had only served to confirm speculation that surrounded his selection into the Test team for the first two matches last week on the understanding that he would quit after the series.

"I have spoken to my teammates that these four Tests would be my last matches. Thanks for all the support, hopefully I will go out on a winning note," said the stylish 36-year-old left-hander from Kolkata.

Ganguly, a veteran of 109 Tests, has been in and out of the team after he lost captaincy in 2005 following a spat with the then coach Greg Chappell during tour of Zimbabwe. He had assumed the captaincy in the most difficult time for cricket when Mohammad Azharuddin had to step down on match-fixing charges.

Sourav Ganguly has played in 109 Test matches, scoring 6,888 runs at an average of 41.74 runs per innings. But it was the shorter format of the game where Ganguly excelled and his records prove it. In 311 ODIs Sourav scored a phenomenal 11, 363 runs with 22 tons and 72 half centuries. Irrespective of whatever his detractors might say his adieu will leave a gaping hole in India’s batting line up.

The new Chief Selector K Srikkanth said Ganguly had a chat with him before making the announcement.

"He had a chat with me and a co-selector. He probably feels it's time for him. Every now and then the axe was on him and he said 'Chika' let me play without any pressure on me," Srikkanth said.

"I pray he scores a lot of runs in the series and India wins. A guy like Sourav Ganguly deserves it because he has done a lot for this country," he added.

Former captain Bishan Singh Bedi said it was not a time to feel sad but to celebrate because Ganguly deserves a grand farewell.

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