India's Ganguly to quit amid kidnap threats

INDIA batsman Sourav Ganguly says he will retire from international cricket after the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against Australia, and also revealed there have been kidnap threats made against his daughter.

Ganguly was named in a 15-man squad for the first two Tests despite intense speculation over his future, with reports suggesting Ganguly considered quitting cricket after being overlooked for a domestic trial match.

Although that did not prove to be the case, the 36-year-old confirmed yesterday: "This is going to be my last series. I've decided to quit. I have already told my team-mates that this would be my last series. Hopefully I will go on a winning note."

Ganguly has scored 6,888 runs and hit 15 centuries in 109 Tests for India. He led the country as captain in 49 Tests, winning 21. The first Test starts in Bangalore tomorrow, while the second starts in Mohali on 17 October.

Ganguly went on to reveal that he had received a kidnap threat against his daughter.

"Yes it's true, but it would be better if we don't discuss it here," Ganguly said about the threat to his six-year-old daughter, Sana.

Ganguly didn't provide details about the threat, but Calcutta police officials said security around Ganguly's residence had been increased. Bhupindar Singh, a top police officer in the criminal investigation department, said Ganguly's family had received two letters threatening to kidnap his daughter for a ransom of 20 million rupees (£260,000).

"Two letters addressed to Sourav Ganguly's wife, Dona, were sent by post to their residence. The first one came a month ago, and the second ten days ago," Singh said to the Press Trust of India.

"The Ganguly family didn't give much importance to the first letter, because at that time they were abroad. But they were worried after receiving the second letter and approached the police."