Ganguly had made up his mind before leaving for Chennai

Kolkata, Oct 7 (IANS) Sourav Ganguly had decided to retire from international cricket even before he left the city for Chennai to play for India A against New Zealand A in the run-up to the series against Australia, a senior West Bengal minister said Tuesday.

'I knew he would retire. A couple of days before leaving for Chennai he came to my place and said he had decided to quit. Sourav told me he had already discussed the issue with his family and has now come to tell me about it,' state minister for municipal affairs and urban development Ashok Bhattacahrya said, soon after the talismanic left-hander made the announcement in Bangalore.

'I told him it is his decision. And whatever you do, do with your head held high,' Bhattacharya said.

The minister, however, said he had no idea that Ganguly would publicly announce his retirement Tuesday, the Mahashtami Day of the ongoing Durga Puja festival.

'I could not believe my ears when I heard the news. So, I called him up, and he confirmed,' said Bhattacharya.

Terming the decision as painful both to him personally, as also for the people of the state, Bhattacharya likened it to the Tata Motors' decision to pull out the Nano small car project from the state four days back.

'Both these developments have pained the people of the state. People are very sad,' said the minister, known to be close to Ganguly.

Bhattacharya said the people of Bengal would always remember the way Ganguly played the game and captained the national side.