Sourav Ganguly Risked Captaincy in Clash With Selectors to Back Anil Kumble

Sourav Ganguly has revealed that he once risked his captaincy to ensure Anil Kumble was selected for a crucial tour. Ganguly faced opposition from selectors who envisioned a team without the legendary leg-spinner. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. Ganguly insisted on Kumble's inclusion, even when it meant potentially losing his own position as captain.

Ganguly recounted the situation to Harsha Bhogle on ‘The Captain’s Calm,’ emphasizing Kumble's importance to the team, particularly for the 2003 tour of Australia. Kumble ultimately justified Ganguly's faith in him, taking 24 wickets in three Tests, including an impressive 8/141 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). India drew the series, retaining the silverware.

"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 also served as a BCCI chairman of selectors, also spoke about the pressures of leadership. The successful Australian tour was followed by a victorious series in Pakistan, India's first tour there since 1989. These experiences solidified Ganguly's reputation as a strong and decisive 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.