I expected it: Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly on Friday said he was not surprised at being reappointed skipper of the Indian cricket team for the tour of South Africa.

"I expected it, so I am not really surprised," said Ganguly about his appointment, just before emplaning for Bombay to attend the selection committee meeting to pick the team.

Ganguly, however, refused to say anything on criticism from certain quarters about his captaincy. "I don't want to comment on that. Captaining the Indian team is always an honour and I maintain that," he said.

Ganguly was retained skipper by the national selectors in Bombay on Thursday despite India losing the three-Test series against Sri Lanka and the left-hander's own indifferent form. The appointment was, however, made only for the South Africa tour, beginning September 24.

The Indian team will play a triangular one-day series with South Africa and Kenya and subsequently a three-Test series with the hosts.

Mail Cricket Editor