The ex-captain of India, Sourav Ganguly has regretted his decision of retirement from an international career which could have lasted at least two more years.

Ganguly announced his retirement from international cricket in October 2008 as the master batsman felt he was neglected for the selection. He was one of the most successful captains of India and led the team from the front in Test as well as in One Day International cricket.

The left hand classic batsman had a lean series against Sri Lanka in July-August 2008 where he appeared in all three Tests but was unable to impress with the bat. India was led by Anil Kumble and Ganguly managed 96 mere runs in the six outings at a poor average of 16.00 with the best of 35. He was criticised by various circles in the country due to his declining form and was alternately omitted from the Rest of India side which took part in the Irani Cup.

Sourav Ganguly was annoyed by the act of the national selectors and called it a day from international cricket after the conclusion of the Australian series played in October-November, 2008. He was distressed by his hurried decision and said,

“I didn’t have one good series (in Sri Lanka) and, when the Irani Trophy squad was announced, my name was missing. I’d stopped enjoying my game because I was thinking about things not related to my game, to my cricket. I could have probably just said ‘Let them do what they want’ and wait for my time.”

Sourav Chandidas Ganguly was born on July 8, 1972, in Calcutta, Bengal, a left hand batsman and right arm medium fast bowler. He has played for India, Bengal, Asia XI, India Under-19s, Glamorgan, East Zone, Lancashire, Northampton, Marylebone Cricket Club and Pune Warriors.

He was an aggressive batsman and played all cricketing shots with ease and produced positive results for his country. He took over the national captaincy in the year 2000 from Sachin Tendulkar and led India in 49 Tests, won 21, lost 13 whereas 15 of them were drawn. He captained the Blue Shirts in 146 ODIs, won 76, lost 65 and 5 ended without any result.

The 40-year-old has played 113 Tests, hammered 7212 runs at an excellent average of 42.17, the best of 239 with 16 centuries and 35 fifties. He took 32 wickets averaging 52.53 runs per wicket with the best of 3-28 in an innings and 3-37 in a match.

The solid batsman took part in 311 ODIs, thrashed 11363 runs averaging 41.02, the best of 183 with 22 hundreds and 72 half centuries. He grabbed 100 wickets at an average of 38.49 per wicket with the best of 5-16.

Sourav Ganguly played his last Test series against the visiting Australians in late 2008 and scored 324 runs in four matches at a super average of 54.00, the best of 102 with one fifty. He performed well even in his last series and thought he could have carried on for at least a couple of years more. Ganguly commented on his early retirement by saying,

“I do regret my decision (to retire) sometimes, that I should not have acted in anger. But I did and… That bit is done and dusted… Yes, I could have played for another two years.”