'Sourav's calibre brought him back'

The former skipper's family asserts that his inclusion among the probables was a result of his experience and not his falling out with Dalmiya.

Sourav Ganguly's selection on Wednesday among the 30 probables for the Champions' Trophy was a result of his long experience and not his falling out with ace administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former skipper's family said.

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Sourav had sided with a panel challenging Dalmiya at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) polls, held on July 30. In an email message, he had held his former mentor responsible for the alleged neglect of the game in Bengal.

As Dalmiya is seen as a rival to the present Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regime, critics speculate whether his return to the national cricket had anything to do with his anti-Dalmiya stand.

Snehasish Ganguly, Sourav's elder brother, said, "The email and his selection are two different things and should be seen separately. There is no link whatsoever between them."

"Sourav is a great player and his selection should be seen purely in cricketing terms," he said.

Debashis Ganguly, Sourav's maternal uncle, added, "The e-mail has nothing to do with his selection. It will be wrong to connect them."

"Sourav's calibre could not be ignored while the selection was done. That is the reason he is in the team of probables. Now we hope he will be there in the playing team too."

Meanwhile, CAB, where Dalmiya returned to power, welcomed Sourav's selection.

CAB secretary Saradindu Pal said, "Better late than never." He also complimented SS Pal for his inclusion among the probables.