Always larger than life in Kolkata

Dubai: Even in retirement, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly's penchant for making news has not deserted him.

From lending a hand to his state team's Ranji Trophy campaign to having a road named after him, there is never a dull moment in Ganguly's life - but the latest one seems to have stirred up a hornet's nest.

The 'Maharaj' features in a New Year calendar released by the DYFI late last week, the students' wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) - sparking off fresh rumours of Ganguly joining politics.

'Dada's new innings?' screamed a national TV news channel. His close relationship with the chief minister and a senior minister in West Bengal only added to the speculation.

Ganguly has always rubbished talk of him joining politics. Those close to the cricketer feel that sentiment will not change.

While Ganguly may have quit the international scene, he still has two years of his contract left with the Indian Premier League, where he captains the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Hee has also been signed up by ESPN as a commentator and will feature in talk shows on a Kolkata-based TV channel.

Ganguly has a street - Sourav Ganguly Avenue ­ - named after him in Rajarhat. The local municipality plans to put up a life-size statue of the cricketer. Madhab Pal - a well known sculptor - is reportedly working on his statue, which will be installed on that road.