Sourav Ganguly reveals VVS Laxman didn't speak to him for 3 months after getting dropped: 'It happened many times'
Former India cricketer VVS Laxman had one of the most decorated careers in international cricket, with numerous stories of his resilience and heroics. Yet, the legendary batter never played a World Cup game. In December 2002, he was removed from the squad for the 2003 ICC tournament and replaced by Dinesh Mongia. Then-captain Sourav Ganguly, the man behind the big call, which even resulted in him arguing with the selectors, opened up on Sunday, clarifying that the decision left Laxman deeply hurt and that he did not speak to him for three months. VVS Laxman was not picked for the 2003 World Cup
The toss-up was always between Laxman and Mongia, even as the latter was not part of the then-ongoing Zimbabwe tour around which the selection meeting occurred. But Laxman's ODI numbers weren't quite significant either - 1240 runs at an average of just 27.55 and a strike rate of only 67.02. Eventually, it was Mongia who pipped the batter owing to his sharper fielding skills.
Speaking to the PTI, Ganguly recalled that Laxman was "unhappy and naturally upset" after the announcement, and he did not talk to him for three months until he made up with him.
'It has happened many times when we rested players. They were unhappy. Laxman being left out of the World Cup...he never spoke to me for three months. Then I made up with him. Anybody would get upset...for a World Cup. Especially a player of Laxman's calibre. Quite natural that he would get upset. After we finished the World Cup, he was happy that we did well,' he said.
Ganguly, however, admitted that Laxman made an impressive return to the ODI team after the World Cup, where India India had finished as runners-up.
'When we came back, he returned to the ODI system. He played an outstanding series in Pakistan and Australia. We won in Pakistan for the first time ever, and VVS was very instrumental. They knew at the back of their mind that it was never personal.' Why was VVS Laxman left out?
Former India chief selector Kiran More, speaking on the Caught Behind YouTube channel last year, had revealed that all five selectors were on board to pick Laxman in the World Cup squad, but Ganguly and head coach John Wright had a different opinion.
"Before the 2003 ODI World Cup selection meeting, we had a huge argument when the Indian team was playing in New Zealand. As per the inputs received from the captain and the coach, we selected a 14-member squad and asked them what they thought of it," said More.
"Over the conference call, Ganguly had a different opinion. We had selected VVS Laxman as our middle-order batter. Ganguly was very smart. He was a brilliant captain, a person with a great cricketing brain. He said 'we need an all-rounder'.
"All five selectors were on the same page. We thought, 'how could we drop someone like Laxman'. But when we eventually had an elaborate discussion with all the stakeholders including captain, coach, and vice captain Rahul Dravid, we eventually took a big call that we have to give them what they want." he concluded.
More had further revealed that Laxman had not talked to the selectors for two years, and neither did the selection committee ever come out in public to say it was Ganguly's call.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
Ex-ENG Captain Praises Bumrah, Says 'He Would Get Me Out 10 Times Out Of 10'
Last Updated: Nasser Hussain has reserved big praise for star Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is leading the bowling attack for Shubman Gill & Co. in the Leeds Test against England. Former England men's cricket team captain Nasser Hussain has reserved big praise for Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. According to Hussain, who has donned the hat of an expert and commentator after retirement from professional cricket, Bumrah is so good that if he had faced him then, he would have lost his wicket 10 times out of 10 against him. 'I would have had an absolute nightmare. Anyone that created that angle like he does would get me out for fun. He would get me out 10 times out of 10 in a five-match series. He is just brilliant, and I wasn't," Nasser said in a video shared by Sky Sports Cricket when asked, 'How would Nasser Hussain play Jasprit Bumrah?" — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 22, 2025 Nasser was one of the greatest English batters of all time. The Chennai-born cricketer played 96 Tests and 88 ODIs for Three Lions from October 1989 to May 2004 and scored over 8000 runs. He also served as England's captain in both the Test and ODI formats of the game. Bumrah's career in numbers Bumrah made his international debut for India against Australia during an ODI match played in Sydney in January 2016. Since then he has featured in 45 Tests, 89 ODIs, and 70 T20Is and has more than 400 wickets to his name. Bumrah played a big role in India's T20 World Cup title win last year, and for his super show with the ball, he won the Player of the Tournament award as well. He picked up 32 wickets for India in the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and bagged the ICC Cricketer and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year awards in 2024. Bumrah, who is the world's No. 1 Test bowler, is leading India's bowling attack in the ongoing first Test against England in Leeds, and on Sunday, June 22, he picked up a five-wicket haul. Bumrah finished England's first innings with figures of 4 for 83 in 24.4 overs. The five-wicket haul in the first innings helped him break multiple bowling records. He became the first Asian bowler to take 150 Test wickets in SENA countries and also equalled Kapil Dev's record of 12 five-wicket hauls for India in Tests played away from home. Bumrah now has 11 five-wicket hauls to his name in WTC, which is the joint-most by a bowler, and he also became the first Indian to take three five-wicket hauls in England. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Indian Express
39 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Hockey: Two-time Olympic medallist Lalit Kumar Upadhyay announces retirement from international hockey
Indian forward Lalit Kumar Upadhyay announced his retirement from international hockey on Sunday, bringing down the curtains on a career that lasted more than a decade and saw him be a part of two Olympic Games bronze medal-winning teams. 'This journey began in a small village, with limited resources but limitless dreams. From facing a sting operation to standing on the Olympic podium — not once, but twice — it's been a path full of challenges, growth, and unforgettable pride. Becoming an Olympian from my city after 26 years is something I'll always carry with honor and gratitude,' Lalit posted on his social media accounts. Lalith played in four matches of the eight that India played in Europe to close out their 2024-'25 Pro League season. The last match he played was against Australia in on 15 June. He has played 183 matches for India in senior international hockey, scoring 67 goals. The 31-year-old from Uttar Pradesh thanked various people who have played a part in his career. 'To my first coach Shri Parmanand Mishra, who introduced me to hockey and built my foundation. To Harender Sir, who gave me my first break by picking me in Air India. To Sameer Bhai and Dhanraj Sir, who mentored me with care and belief during that time. To BPCL, for offering me a job and giving me 8 meaningful years of work and growth. To my friends and teammates, who made the journey unforgettable. To Hockey India for giving me the opportunity to wear the national jersey. And to the state government, for honoring my journey by appointing me as a DSP — a responsibility I hold with pride.' But he reserved one final note of thanks to current India captain Harmanpreet Singh, saying, 'Hockey has given me everything, and you're one of its greatest gifts, brother.' For the talented boy from Varanasi, known for his dodging skills and creative stick-work on the field, the career almost ended before it even began. In 2008, he was used as a bait in a TV sting operation that led to erstwhile IHF being disbanded, and it also ruined Upadhyay's reputation as he was sidelined from the national programme. Lalit considered quitting hockey just at the age of 17 but kept at it and found his breakthroughs eventually. Dhanraj Pillay got him a contract with Air India in 2010, where he began picking up the pieces. Four years later, former India captain Tushar Khandker helped him get a job at BPCL and around the same time Lalit was picked for Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League as well. More recently, the forward who has scored some memorable goals through his career, has struggled for consistency and with younger forwards coming through the ranks, has decided to call time. One of those younger forwards, Abhishek, posted on Instagram: 'Your journey has been nothing short of inspiring, the dedication, passion, and humility you brought to the game will always be remembered. You've left behind a legacy that will continue to guide and motivate the next generation.'
India Today
41 minutes ago
- India Today
Jasprit Bumrah, the absolute champion: Legends in awe of pacer after Leeds heroics
India and England legends heaped praise on Jasprit Burmah after his stunning performance in the Leeds Test as he claimed another five-wicket haul. Bumrah ended with figures of five for 83 as he helped the visitors claim an important six-run lead. England looked to be closing in on overhauling the score posted by India after a fast start to the second session and a frustrating stand between Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse. However, Bumrah came in to clean up the tail and ensure India went into tea with the lead. advertisementThis was Bumrah's 14th career five-wicket haul, his 12th one outside India and emulated Kapil Dev. Speaking to the broadcasters, Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on Bumrah, saying that whenever the pacer has the ball in hand, it seems likes the batter is going to have a bit of a problem. ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 3 updates"He's been sensational. If not for those drop catches, he might have had even seven or eight wickets to show against his efforts. He's been the difference when he's had the ball in his hand. Just about every delivery, it looks as if the batter is going to have a bit of a problem," said Gavaskar. Gavaskar said that he rates Bumrah amongst the very best bowlers in history and the greatest one in the current era. The Indian legend said that Bumrah has the knack to be lethal with the new ball as well as the old one. advertisement"I think he ranks amongst the very best. It's difficult to compare different eras, different pitches, different opposition. But you know in the modern era, without a question he's the greatest, he's the best, no question. Because it's not just the new ball, it's with the old ball also, he picks wickets, you see, that's the beauty of his bowling. A lot of bowlers are lethal when they have the new ball in their hands. That's not the case with Bumrah. Bumrah can come with the old ball, and with the old ball also he can also get the ball to move around both ways. He's got that slower yorker. He's got that bouncer," said Gavaskar. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that the hosts were trying to survive the spell from Bumrah. Vaughan claimed that Bumrah bowls deliveries that a batter can't really be prepare for. "Every time Jasprit Bumrah had the ball in his hand, you just knew as an England side, they were just trying to survive. Yes, Harry Brooks was stepping down to hit him, but I think they were always trying to see him off, but he's just too good. He bowls balls that you can't really prepare for," said Vaughan. advertisementBumrah's workload management has been a big question, with India coach Gautam Gambhir hinting that the pacer may play only three Tests in the tour. Vaughan said that India should capitalise on the gametime Bumrah will get and secure wins in the matches the pacer will play. "Bumrah, I mean, if you play him 3 of the 5 games, I would say they're probably gonna have to win those 3 games. To win the series, you think when Bumrah is in the side, India have to capitalise," said Vaughan. 'Utterly outstanding'Mark Butcher, while speaking to Sky Sports, said that Bumrah was outstanding and is an absolute champion of the game. "Bumrah has been utterly outstanding. Irresistible fast bowling. He is an absolute champion," said Butcher. Stuart Broad praised Bumrah for his bowling and wondered if India missed a trick by holding him back. 'Bumrah has moved the ball more than anyone else, brought drama, bowled jaffas and deserves the fine applause he received from this crowd. But you do wonder whether he should have been brought into the attack earlier on," said Broad. Bumrah also went past Wasim Akram for the most wickets by an Asian bowler (150 wickets) in SENA countries. Must Watch
