Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has shared an instance from his captaincy where he revealed how he stood against the BCCI selectors to ensure Anil Kumble was picked for the 2003 tour of Australia, despite Kumble not being part of the 2001 Test series due to a shoulder injury.
At the time, the selectors were planning to move on without Kumble, but Ganguly believed the senior leg-spinner was too important to be left out. In a conversation with Harsha Bhogle on ‘The Captain’s Calm’, Ganguly said, “In the 2003 tour of Australia, Anil Kumble stood up, and he finished the year with the highest number of wickets. I couldn’t dream of it (not having Anil Kumble in the team), especially on the tour of Australia.”
Ganguly revealed that the selectors wanted a left-arm spinner and said, “And I remember the selectors telling me I needed a left-arm spinner because of how well Daniel Vettori had bowled when New Zealand toured before us. He did exceptionally well. But I said, ‘No, I am not going to leave without him.’ I still remember that night in Hyderabad, after the semi-final. I was told that if the team doesn’t do well, I may not be the captain again. I said, ‘we’ll see once the series finishes’.”
Ganguly’s decision proved right as Kumble took 24 wickets in three Tests, which helped India draw the series. Ganguly also spoke about leadership pressure, saying, “If you want to be the captain of India, you will be asked this question. So, stand up, be strong and be ready to accept it. Work those hard miles, those extra miles to back what you say. That’s what’simportant.”
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