‘Probably people didn’t like my face’

In an interview with Anand Vasu, Sourav Ganguly says that the exclusion from Irani squad made him call it quits.

If Tuesday was a time for a concise announcement and a graceful exit, Wednesday was a feeding frenzy as Sourav Ganguly made himself available to informally talk to the media and shed more light on his decision to call it quits at the end of this series.

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Ganguly was mobbed by TV cameras and reporters as he walked off the field after practice, and comically the BCCI's media officer stood in the background, watching disinterestedly.

Did you retire under pressure?
I don't want to talk about this. I know what is the right thing and I am sure in due course you will find out.

In a recent interview in Chandigarh, you had said you had 2-3 more years left in you … now you've quit…
I have not said anywhere that I wanted to play for two years. I think they have picked up from an interview, which was a year ago after I finished the Pakistan series. Times have changed since then.

What made you take the decision?
I just felt it was time to go. Obviously I can't deny the fact that I was a bit disappointed with the Irani selection. To be honest, I felt I had two outstanding years except for the Sri Lanka series. So if that was the case, then I felt it was time to go.

How did your team-mates react?
Well, I didn't want to make much fuss about it, that is why at the press meet I announced it at the last because the series is more important than all this.

What will you do after this?
I don't know. Let's finish the series first because we have four Test matches to play. I am going to approach the series in the same way what has made me successful in the past. I will just try and do well every time I walk out to bat.

Sense of relief, no pressure?
Obviously I will try and do well. The pressure of doing well will always be there and that probably brings the best out of everyone. I cannot say whether it is relief or not, I have not been sad.

Did you speak to anyone? What was your family's reaction?
I didn't speak to anyone. I have spoken to my family. I know the situation best. My father will be sad, as usual. He also needs to understand that I need to go.

Any regrets?
Nothing. If we could have won the World Cup final, it would have been great. No regrets at all.

Special moment?
My first Test at Lord's.

Why were you always under scrutiny?
Probably, people didn't like my face.