October 13–14, 2005, marked a major turning point in Indian cricket. Sourav Ganguly lost the India captaincy to Rahul Dravid, and the decision quickly triggered anger among fans in Kolkata, Ganguly’s hometown.
On October 13, the selectors appointed Dravid to lead India in the upcoming home ODI series against Sri Lanka and South Africa. The following day, they announced the squad for the first two matches against Sri Lanka, leaving Ganguly out.
Ganguly was dealing with a tennis elbow injury, which had kept him out of recent domestic matches. His form had also come under scrutiny, while his reported disagreement with coach Greg Chappell had added to the tension surrounding the team.
For many supporters, however, the decision was difficult to accept. Ganguly had transformed India’s approach to overseas cricket and had led the side through several memorable victories. His removal was not just a change in captaincy for fans who believed he deserved more time to recover.
The reaction in Kolkata was immediate. On October 14, angry supporters gathered near Eden Gardens, raised slogans in Ganguly’s support and burned an effigy of chief selector Kiran More. Some threatened to oppose cricket matches in the city if their favourite player was not selected.
The episode exposed how deeply Ganguly was connected to Kolkata’s cricketing identity. While the selectors backed Dravid to lead India into the next phase, many fans saw the decision as an unfair end to Ganguly’s reign.
Dravid’s appointment came during a difficult period for Indian cricket, with the team preparing for a busy home schedule. Ganguly’s future in the national side remained uncertain, and the dispute involving him and Chappell would continue to dominate headlines in the months ahead.
The story was bigger than a captaincy change. It was a clash between selection decisions, team management and a fan base unwilling to give up on one of Indian cricket’s most influential leaders.
Source: Rediff — Ganguly fans burn More’s effigy, October 14, 2005
