Former India captain Sourav Ganguly disclosed that he had argued with BCCI selectors about Anil Kumble's spot in the squad for the 2003 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ganguly, who was in his third season as captain, insisted that Kumble be included in the team that would travel to Australia.
Due to a shoulder injury, the champion leg-spinner was unable to play in the historic 2001 Test series between India and Australia. However, after his return, Kumble had solidified his position as the team's top spinner, displacing the very effective Harbhajan Singh.
The selection committee, on the other hand, had a different perspective and imagined a team without Kumble. Ganguly, however, persisted in his position and even risked losing his captaincy to make sure Kumble boarded the flight to Australia. As it happened, India went on to draw the series and retain the trophy when Kumble finished with 24 wickets from three Tests, including a best of 8/141 at the SCG.
“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. 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 told Harsha Bhogle on ‘The Captain’s Calm’ powered by Bandhan Bank.
Ganguly, who was also the former BCCI president, remembered having to deal with the difficult questions. Following the successful tour of Australia, Ganguly led India to victory in both the Test and ODI series in Pakistan. After a 15-year exile, it was India's first trip of Pakistan since 1989, and Ganguly and his squad responded resolutely. That tour of Australia produced a number of memorable moments and superstars, greatly enhancing Ganguly's stature as India captain.
“I have been asked that question many times. I remember a journalist asking me, ‘Not many people have come back from Pakistan as a captain’. So, these are challenges. 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’s important,” added Ganguly.
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