Ganguly dismisses speculation

Sourav Ganguly is adament he has been included in the India Test squad on merit

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Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has dismissed suggestions that his inclusion in the side for the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia was part of a bargain with selectors.

The 36-year-old was overlooked for the Rest of India squad for the season-opening Irani Trophy tie against Ranji Trophy champions Delhi last month leading to speculation that he would quit international cricket.

But the Board of Control for Cricket in India's new selection panel led by former opening batsman Krishnamachari Srikkanth included Ganguly in a 15-player squad picked for the first two Tests.

Asked if the selectors had made a compromise by selecting him, Ganguly curtly replied: "Absolutely not."

The left-handed batsman said he was looking forward to the series against Australia.

"It will be a tough series," he said. "We will have to fight hard."

The BCCI also rubbished talk of a deal between senior players and the selectors.

"There has been no deal with the players nor have they been offered a voluntary retirement policy," BCCI chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said.

"Sourav Ganguly's omission from the Rest of India side for the Irani Trophy started all this talk.

"His omission never meant that he would not be picked to the Test team. It was for the selectors to decide and they have made their decision."