Ganguly denies outburst

Retiring batsman Sourav Ganguly has issued a stern denial of comments attributed to him in a Bengali newspaper which appeared to criticise India selectors and players.

The interview, which Kolkata daily Aajkaal claimed was with Ganguly, appeared to suggest the 36-year-old only announced his impending retirement because he had "a gun to his head".

However, Ganguly said in a statement on Saturday: "The reports of an interview from a Bengali daily published in other newspapers are false."

"I have not given such an interview to anyone. I request you to clarify with me before publishing views from other sources."

Aajkaal quoted Ganguly as saying he was tired of being made a scapegoat by the selectors for India's poor performances after being left out of the Irani Cup team.

The quotes read: "There is no point playing like this. I am not willing to play at their mercy. They will pick you now and then dump you."

"Why should I be the sacrificial goat all the time? It was difficult to accept."

"If a gun is held at your head, how far can you bear it. That too after playing 450 matches."

"I played badly in only one series. Yet every Tom, Dick and Harry is playing in the team."

"There are players who haven't scored in the last three series for India, even for the last one year."

"There are some who have changed their hairstyle more than they have scored for India."

The article was poorly received in India, with former India captain Bishan Bedi, former chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar and India legend Sunil Gavaskar amongst those to criticise Ganguly.