Sourav Ganguly was fed up, says Srikkanth

END OF AN ERA: Sourav Ganguly decided to end his career with his head held high.

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New Delhi: Sourav Ganguly was fed up with the uncertainty over his place in the side and decided to end his international career with his head held high, Chairman of selectors Krisnamachari Srikkanth revealed after the former skipper announced his retirement on Tuesday.

"We had a chat in the morning. He (Ganguly) also talked to the coach and the team members. I think he has taken the right decision. Probably he felt every now and then the axe was on him. He felt he wanted to play without such things on his mind," Srikkanth was quoted by agencies as saying.

"Every now and then, the axe was on him and he said to me, 'Chika, let me play once without any pressure'. I pray he scores a lot of runs against Australia and India win the series because guys like Sourav Ganguly deserve to go out on a winning note," Srikkanth added.

Srikkanth was, however, evasive when asked whether the Board had struck a deal with senior players like Ganguly on their retirement.

The new selection committee brought back Ganguly in the team for the first two Tests against Australia after he was left out of Irani Trophy squad.

"Now he can go out with an open mind and play freely to his potential and hopefully do well. He is one of the best captains in the world. He has done so much for cricket and the nation. He deserves so much. Hopefully India will win the series (the four-Test series against Australia)," Srikkanth said.

EX-CRICKETERS BAT FOR GANGULY

Perfect timing has been the hallmark of Sourav Ganguly's batting and the stylish left-hander chose the right time to call it quits, believe former players.

Former captain Bishan Singh Bedi, a bitter Ganguly critic at some point, today hailed the left-hander, calling him a 'legend' of the game.

"I would like to celebrate his retirement, rather than mourn it because of his enormous contribution to Indian cricket. A great player, a legend of the game has hung up his

boots and we all should celebrate his contribution," Bedi was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.