VVS Laxman was arguably within the type of his life in Check cricket within the lead-up to the 2003 ODI World Cup, and regardless of his exemplary strokeplay the elegant Hyderabad batter was dropped from the squad for the match in South Africa. Laxman’s then-captain, Sourav Ganguly, lately revealed that the 2001 Kolkata Check hero didn’t communicate to him for practically three months after being snubbed for the inclusion of Dinesh Mongia.
The then-selection committee chief, Kiran Extra, had stated final yr that each one 5 nationwide selectors have been in favour of Laxman’s inclusion, however captain Ganguly and coach John Wright had different plans.
“Earlier than the 2003 ODI World Cup choice assembly, we had an enormous argument when the Indian group was taking part in in New Zealand. As per the inputs obtained from the captain and the coach, we chosen a 14-member squad and requested them what they considered it. Over the convention name, Ganguly had a distinct opinion. We had chosen VVS Laxman as our middle-order batter. Ganguly was very good. He was an excellent captain, an individual with an excellent cricketing mind. He stated ‘we’d like an all-rounder’,” Extra had advised on former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif’s YouTube channel.
Ganguly lately said that Laxman was devastated by the snub that left him with out a World Cup look to his title regardless of that includes in 86 ODIs for India.
“It has occurred many instances after we rested gamers. They have been sad. Laxman being overlooked of the World Cup…he by no means spoke to me for 3 months. Then I made up with him. Anyone would get upset…for a World Cup. Particularly a participant of Laxman’s calibre. Fairly pure that he would get upset,” Ganguly advised PTI.
India had a near-flawless run to the finals, the place they have been shocked by a dominant Australian facet led by Ricky Ponting in a 125-run victory. Ganguly recounted the reconciliation and the way Laxman made a profitable ODI comeback that marked his finest ever white-ball season for India in 2004, scoring 841 runs