'I respect the selectors' decision' - Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly urged fans not to disrupt normal life © Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly has appealed to his fans to desist from activities that disrupt normal life.

"Life needs to get back to normal and any bandh will jeopardise public life which is not right," Ganguly said in statement. After Ganguly was sacked from the Indian team for the third Test against Sri Lanka, there has been an uproar in the entire country with former cricket players, politicians and film and television actors denouncing the national selectors' decision. Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal have witnessed large-scale disruption of public life, with people squatting on railway tracks and putting up road blocks.

A non-political organisation 'Maidan Sports Welfare Association' has even called a Bangla bandh on December 20 demanding reinstatement of Ganguly in the national squad. Ganguly said that he was 'extremely touched' by the affection shown to him in the last few days. "But it's time to understand the situation," Ganguly continued, "as the Test match [at Ahmedabad] starts tomorrow and we need to support the Indian team."

Ganguly said he respected the selectors' decision. "Whatever has happened, I respect the selectors' decision and I am sure with my performance, I'll again get opportunity to play in the future. It is for my respect that it is important to respect Indian cricket."