Sourav Ganguly opts out of IPL, Ranji Trophy bringing curtains to his domestic career

After calling curtains on his international career back in 2008, Sourav Ganguly has now called it a day from domestic cricket,which effectively means he will not be a part of Pune Warriors in the next year’s IPL and the upcoming Ranji season. He had called time on his international career after the Test series against Australia in 2008.

A report in The Times of India says that he has informed Sahara bosses, owners of the Pune franchise,  that he does not wish to play in IPL 6 even though he is contracted to play one more season for them.

"I had a wondeful time playing in the IPL for five seasons. It gave me a chance to keep playing top-class cricket even after quitting international cricket. But I can't go on forever, and I have requested the franchise owners not to consider me for IPL 6," Sourav was quoted in the report.

The report also says that Sourav, who had requested Bengal selectors not to consider him for the season's first Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan, also confirmed that he would not be playing first-class cricket either.

"It is tough to play a whole season of first-class cricket when you know that you are not going to play for India. I kept playing first-class cricket because you cannot just turn up for IPL without any sort of preparation," said Sourav, who featured in the bulk of Bengal's matches last season.

"Bengal cricket is in good hands. It is good to see the likes of Manoj, Wriddhiman, Dinda, Sami and Anustup knocking hard on the selectors' door. I wish them all the best," he added.