Ganguly steps down from Bengal captaincy

Hours after being removed as skipper of the Indian Test side, Sourav Ganguly stepped down as captain of the Bengal team for the coming Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra beginning on Wednesday.

"Sourav wants to give opportunity to younger members to groom themselves for the future," said Samir Dasgupta, the team manager. "He told me that vice-captain Deep Dasgupta should lead the side in his place. Sourav will guide Deep,"

Dasgupta, the former Indian wicketkeeper, said Ganguly had informed Saradindu Pal, the joint secretary of the Bengal board, of his decision. "Ganguly feels that it was high time cricketers like Deep learnt the tricks of captaincy as Bengal's future lay in the hands of players like him," Samir Dasgupta said.

Ganguly, like Ajit Wadekar, another left-handed stylist three decades before him, found out on Tuesday that an enviable record as captain does not guarantee a longer stay at the helm.