Ganguly slams media, denies talks of joining ICL

Chittagong, May 16 (UNI) Former skipper Sourav Ganguly today slammed the media for allegedly doing one sided stories and denied having any talks of joining the Indian Cricket League.

Talking to mediapersons after the net session at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium here, Ganguly said, ''It's not true. There are too many stories going around. It is time that we clarify things.

I did not have any discussion with anyone.

''There is no chance of any discussion with anyone at any stage in future also. I am not joining anything or any league. I am too honoured and happy to play for India,'' he said.

The controversy was created when a media report claimed that Ganguly have signed for 1 million dollar breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) promoted by Zee TV chairman Subhash Chandra.

Following the footsteps of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket League, the ICL too will be a separate cricket league and will not be under the jurisdiction of BCCI.

It will be launched with a Twenty20 championship shortly after the World Cup of the newest version in South Africa in September.

A Twenty20 team will feature two overseas stars as well as four current Indian internationals.

When the question veered on to the topic of 'Operation Clean Bowled', Ganguly again snapped, ''I have been around for the last 12 years. I am again saying such things need clarification. They don't work on our mind. But we are just one phone call away.'' ''There are too many sources doing the rounds. If you do a story, you need the sources. There is too much of competition I understand, and you are doing your duty. But please don't quote us out of context,'' he requested the media.

The sting operation undertaken by a private satellite channel had quoted the selectors saying that Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly had their own followers during the World Cup which affected the team performance in the Caribbean.

UNI