Sourav Ganguly savoured a special hundred after he helped put India in charge of the second Test against Australia.
Left-hander first of 'Fab Four' to set a date for retirement
Sourav Ganguly savoured a special hundred against "the best team in the world" after his 102 helped put India in charge against Australia.
The left-hander notched his 16th Test ton as the hosts reached 469 before finally being bowled out.
Australia closed day two on 102-4 in reply.
Ganguly's innings was even more special considering he has already announced that he will retire at the end of the series.
His latest hundred could therefore be his last for his country before be brings the curtain down on his international career.
Very important
"It was nice to get a hundred," Ganguly said. "It was very important; this is an important series for me because it's my last one.
"I've been focusing on giving my everything for one last time. I've always enjoyed the game, but perhaps I enjoy it a lot more in this series.
"That's probably because I know I won't be selected any more and will not have to depend on anyone to be selected.
"It's been fun and we are playing the best team in the world. Getting runs against them is very satisfying."
Ganguly acknowledged that there would be a changing of the guard in Indian cricket as a generation of stars begin to wind down their careers.
The 36-year-old former captain will be the first to bow out of the so-called 'Fab Four', leaving Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and new record run scorer Sachin Tendulkar to carry on without him.
Quality players
"It is the end of an era for Indian cricket. The four of us (Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman the others) have batted for India for the last 13 years," he said.
"We've all played 100 Test matches each, Laxman being the exception although he needs only two more to get there.
"I don't think you would get four players who have played 100 Test matches playing together in a team ever.
"Sachin, Rahul and VVS are such quality players. The number of important knocks they have played for their country has been fantastic.
"More importantly, many of them have been away from home and it has directly contributed to the huge improvement in our performance overseas in the last seven or eight years.
"It's been a fantastic batting quartet and I hope when the new players come in they do just as well."
