Overview

• Sourav Ganguly said VVS Laxman refused to speak to him for three months after being left out of India’s 2003 World Cup squad.
• Ganguly and coach John Wright pushed to include all-rounder Dinesh Mongia, overriding all five national selectors who backed Laxman.
• Laxman entered the selection meeting with 1,240 ODI runs at a 27.55 average and a 67.02 strike rate, figures deemed insufficient for the tournament.
• After India finished runners-up to Australia in the World Cup final, Laxman returned to ODIs and delivered match-winning performances in Pakistan and Australia.
• Despite 86 ODIs and 2,338 runs for India, Laxman never featured in a World Cup game, underscoring the enduring debate over squad balance.