Sachin Tendulkar Should Retire on a High : Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly also refused to believe reports that chief selector Sandeep Patil spoke to Sachin Tendulkar about the later's retirement plans after playing the 200th Test.

"These speculations had happened in the past with players like Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman or myself. But I don't think the Board or Patil has spoken to Tendulkar about his last Test," Ganguly said in an interview to a regional news channel. Asked whether Tendulkar has a realistic chance to prolong his career beyond 200 Tests, Ganguly said: "If a great player like Tendulkar has the belief to play, I won't be surprised to see him travel to South Africa."

Drawing parallel with Indian tennis ace Leander Paes, Ganguly said: "We have seen how Paes won his 14th Grand Slam at 40. (Read: Sachin, Leander and the force at 40)

"Things may be different for Tendulkar who unlike Paes plays a team sport where selectors take the call, but it's his (Tendulkar's) wish. As long as he plays, records will keep on tumbling."

"We all would like to see him retire with his head high, whenever it maybe," he added.

On Sreesanth's life ban, Ganguly said it would be difficult for the former India pacer to make a comeback again.

"We have seen with other players like Hansie Cronje in the past, it takes time to come out of a life ban with all the court cases," Ganguly added.

© PTI