Ganguly to play in IPL, not keen on domestic games

Dubai: Sourav Ganguly, set to retire at the end of the home series versus Australia, will be very much a part of the next two Indian Premier Leagues (IPL) but is not so certain about domestic cricket any more.

"Yes, I will honour my commitment with the IPL," the former Indian skipper replied in a text message in response to a query from Gulf News.

An icon cricketer and captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Ganguly has a three-year contract with the franchise owners, of which only the first year has been completed.

Since his terse announcement of "quitting" on Tuesday, speculation had been rife about his association with the game in future.

However, Sambaran Banerjee, chairman of selection committee of Ganguly's home state Bengal, disclosed that the star cricketer has requested that he be kept out of the reckoning.

"I was in touch with him yesterday and Ganguly said he would not be interested in any first class fixtures for the state or zone anymore. Having been a performer at that level for so many years, I also feel he will not be able to motivate himself anymore," Banerjee said over the phone from Kolkata.

Plenty of time left

The management of Knight Riders, meanwhile, were in no rush to hear from him on the issue.

"It's just been 24 hours that he has announced his retirement. He still has a month of international cricket ahead of him with the four Tests and must be focusing on them now," said a senior executive of the Knight Riders.

Bankrolled by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Ganguly's team had flattered to deceive in the IPL last year when they failed to make the semifinals.

Sambaran Banerjee, chairman of selection committee of Bengal, disclosed that the star has requested that he be kept out of the reckoning