Ganguly calls it quits

BANGALORE: Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday made a surprise announcement of his retirement from Test cricket after the end of four-match series against Australia beginning Thursday, bringing to an end a 16-year career that had of late shown a slump.

"Before I leave, I have to make an announcement. This is going to be my last series. I have decided to quit. These four Tests are going to be my last," said Ganguly, winding up a routine press conference.

The announcement by the most successful cricket captain India ever had only served to confirm speculation that surrounded his selection into the Test team for the first two matches last week on the understanding that he would quit after the series.

"I have spoken to my teammates that these four Tests would be my last matches. Thanks for all the support, hopefully I will go out on a winning note," said the stylish 36-year-old left-hander from Kolkata.

Ganguly, a veteran of 109 Tests, has been in and out of the team after he lost captaincy in 2005 following a spat with the then coach Greg Chappell during tour of Zimbabwe. He had assumed the captaincy in the most difficult time for cricket when Mohammad Azharuddin had to step down on match-fixing charges.

Last year, he was dropped from the one-day team during the England tour and ever since had failed to make a serious comeback.