Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain and one of the most influential figures in Indian cricket, has revealed his regret about having to drop legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble during his tenure as skipper. Ganguly, reflecting on his captaincy and career, acknowledged the tough decisions that come with leadership, particularly when team selection is involved.
Ganguly's captaincy is often credited with ushering in a new era of Indian cricket, characterized by aggression, fearlessness, and a focus on nurturing young talent. He led India in 146 ODIs, winning 76 of them, and in 49 Test matches, securing 21 victories. While his leadership is celebrated, he also faced difficult choices, and dropping a player of Anil Kumble's caliber was one such instance that he now regrets.
Anil Kumble is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers to ever play for India, and his contributions to Indian cricket are immense. With 619 Test wickets, he is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket. Kumble was known for his unwavering determination, accuracy, and ability to extract bounce and turn from any surface. His tenacity and fighting spirit made him a true legend of the game.
Ganguly, in a recent interview, admitted that he regretted leaving out Kumble "a few times" because of how exceptionally talented he was. This admission highlights the complexities of team management and the difficult calls captains often have to make, balancing team composition, player form, and strategic requirements. It also underscores the respect Ganguly holds for Kumble's abilities and his recognition of the spinner's significant impact on Indian cricket.
Ganguly also spoke about his personal regrets in his cricketing journey, expressing disappointment over not converting more of his starts into centuries. He noted that he was dismissed in the 80s and 90s on numerous occasions, potentially missing out on over 50 centuries in his career. He mentioned that he often watches his old innings on YouTube and rues the missed opportunities. Ganguly scored 38 international centuries, a remarkable feat, but feels he could have achieved more. He got out in the 80s and 90s approximately 30 times.
Ganguly also shared his views on the evolving landscape of cricket, with the rise of T20 leagues and players opting for these lucrative tournaments. He acknowledged the challenges in regulating these shifts and the difficulty in preventing Test-playing nations from forming their own leagues.
Ganguly identified Australia as his favorite rival side, highlighting the intense competition and high stakes involved in those encounters. He also named Glenn McGrath as the most feared bowler he faced, acknowledging the Australian pacer's skill and relentless aggression.
Sourav Ganguly's reflections provide insights into the mind of a leader, the challenges of captaincy, and the regrets that linger even after a successful career. His acknowledgment of regretting dropping Anil Kumble underscores the respect for a true legend of the game.
Furthermore, a biopic on Sourav Ganguly's life is in the works, with filming scheduled to begin in January and Rajkumar Rao portraying the former captain. The film is expected to be released by the end of 2026.
