India, Dec. 19 -- Former India captain Sourav Ganguly revealed that he once had a stand-off with BCCI selectors over Anil Kumble's place in the team. The year was 2003, and Ganguly, who was in his third year as skipper, was adamant on having Kumble as part of the squad travelling Down Under for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The champion leg-spinner could not be part of the famous 2001 Test series between India and Australia due to a shoulder injury, but since his return, Kumble had reestablished himself as the team's premier spinner, pushing the in-form Harbhajan Singh down in the pecking order.

However, the selection committee viewed things differently, envisioning a team without Kumble. However, Ganguly remained adamant on his stance and...