Ganguly rules out ODI retirment

Sourav Ganguly was left out of India's Champions Trophy squad © Getty Images

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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly insists he has not considered retiring from one-day cricket despite being ignored for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Ganguly last played a one-day international in November last year and his career in the 50-over format is in doubt after he was left out of India’s 30-man preliminary squad along with Rahul Dravid.

Despite the setback, Ganguly will continue to focus on the longer format of the game.

"I haven't played ODIs for the past three months and won't be playing the next three either,” he said. "There is nothing about ODIs to look forward to. I will be playing in the Test series and that's where my current focus is,”

Asked if he thought he would be selected for the one-day team in the future, Ganguly said: "I really don't know about the chance, but I'm not quitting at the moment."

When asked whether he was "pushed out" of the ODI squad, Ganguly replied: "How does it matter? The bottom line is I'm out of the side. I've performed in both forms of the game for the past one-and-a-half years. The rest is not in my hands."

Ganguly respects Mahendra Singh Dhoni's decision to miss the Test series in Sri Lanka citing fatigue, and says the one-day skipper has reason to be tired.

"That's his personal decision and we have to respect it,” added Ganguly. "But when I played my cricket I can't remember taking such breaks during Tests. Probably, I couldn't afford such breaks.

"However, Dhoni has gone through a lot in the last few months.

"He is a wicketkeeper. He is also our one-day captain. Besides he is also one of our main batsmen.”

Looking forward to the series in Sri Lanka, Ganguly acknowledged spinner Ajantha Mendis would be a threat, but that veteran off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan would pose greater problems.

Mendis claimed 6-13 from eight overs to help Sri Lanka defeat India in the final of the Asia Cup.

"Somebody who has single-handedly helped Sri Lanka win the Asia Cup final will obviously be a big threat. No doubt, he is a good bowler,” said Ganguly.

"We have to read him off the hand rather than off the pitch. However, I feel once we get used to playing him we would pick him easily.

“But I think Murali would be a bigger threat. He has variation and pace and can turn the ball a mile. He is in a different league altogether.”