Sourav Ganguly recalls the incident that saved his captaincy career

Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly is regarded as one of the finest captains to have ever led the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, the team flourished big time, and registered several historic wins. Among the biggest wins that the Indian team registered under his captaincy was the iconic Eden Garden Test against Australia in 2001.

India had beaten Australia after having been asked to follow-on in the match. The chief architects of the Indian win were VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. Laxman, in particular, was termed as the national hero for his remarkable unbeaten 281. Recently, VVS Laxman launched his book titled on the same lines, “281 and beyond”. At the book launch, Sourav Ganguly remarked that he did not like the title of the book. He insisted that Laxman should have added that the 281 saved him from being axed as the captain.

“I also texted him a month back but he didn’t reply. I told him it was not the apt title… It should have been ‘281 and beyond and that saved Sourav Ganguly’s career’. I strongly opposed the title because if he had not scored 281, we would have lost the Test and I would not have been captain again,” Sourav Ganguly quoted as per the quotes in Times of India.

On Laxman’s omission

While Laxman was indeed in good form during the time, it was surprising to see him getting dropped from the Indian squad for 2003 World Cup. Commenting on the same, Ganguly mentioned that it was perhaps a mistake in the hindsight.

“Laxman was a player who could have done well in all formats. In hindsight, maybe it was a mistake. As a captain, you take decisions and things happen which may not be right or wrong,” Ganguly remarked.

On a similar note, Laxman remarked that he indeed felt devastated not being named in the squad back then. He, however, was quick to realise his love for the sport and knew that a World Cup will not justify the love he has for the lovely game.

“I realised, that I did not become a cricketer to play the World Cup but it was for the sport. I was being childish. I told myself ‘I was among the lucky few who got this opportunity and I should not let it go’,” Laxman recalled.

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