Ganguly thanks media for its love and support

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Nagpur: A group of journalists gave Sourav Ganguly a small farewell on Sunday in a private ceremony in Nagpur.

"The journey will end tomorrow. I don't know if will be sad. I will know when I reach the field. I honestly believe all things need to end at some point. I will start a new life. Cricket is just an aspect of life and life is bigger than cricket. Thank you for being a part of this journey," said an emotional Ganguly.

"I have been to many felicitation functions, many people have honoured me, but I'm touched by this particular gesture. It is a very simple, small function. My international cricket career of 13 seasons will come to an end tomorrow. I know it's a huge vacuum because no one from Bengal will be representing the team. No player can be perfect, success and failure are part of a professional cricketer's life. If someone told me when I was starting out that I will be able to play 100 Tests and 300 ODIs I would have laughed at him. Hopefully you all will find a player bigger than me from Bengal one day. Thanks for giving me all your love and support," Ganguly added.

The former Indian captain's wife said that it was good that he had decided to hang up his boots.

"When he started playing, I never thought that he'll play for so many years. He has achieved a lot of things. It was a good time to retire. I have been taking care of our daughter all these times but I hope that Sourav will help me out, now that he would be spending a lot of time with family. Two years back he had time to make a comeback. But now he is 36 and doesn't have much time. After being left out of Irani Trophy, he could not sleep properly. But it's good that now he has decided to retire on his own terms," said Dona Ganguly.

Dona also said that the couple will definitely enjoy his retirement and she would be happy if Ganguly is remembered for his successes.

"We will enjoy his retirement because he wasn't there in the home for 12 years. Don't know how long I will enjoy it! There are lots of favourite innings by Sourav. As long as Sourav is remembered, we are happy," she said.

However, he will continue playing for his Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders.

Just a few days earlier, Ganguly had been officially felicitated by the Board of Control fro Cricket in India for his contribution to Indian cricket.