London: Terming the job of Indian cricket captain as the toughest in world sport, Sourav Ganguly says losing the coveted post itself hurt him less than being dropped as a player.
Ganguly says he has achieved almost everything as captain whereas he believed he still had a lot to offer as a player in the Indian team.
"Losing the captaincy did not hurt me much because I don't think I would have achieved any more as a captain. I captained 50 Test matches for India and nearly 160 One-Day games, I think that's quite a bit, but I still feel I can be a part of this team and contribute successfully. Obviously, not getting a place as a player was difficult," Ganguly told BBC Sport.
Ganguly, India's most successful captain with 21 Test wins, said he longed to play for India.
"I'd never missed a series in the last 11 years, the first series I missed was when England toured India," said the 33-year.
"It is difficult when you have played non-stop for 11 years but that's the way it is."
The elegant left-hander said winning the World Cup and a few personal milestones would be his motivation to return to international cricket.
"I'm just 33 and (in) the last Test series I played, I did very well, so I am definitely sure there is a lot of cricket left in me," Ganguly said.
"I've been one of the best performers in the last two World Cups for India, very close to 1,000 World Cup runs, so I'm looking forward to it and if I get an opportunity it will be good."
Asked to compare the jobs of an Indian cricket captain with that of England's football manager, Ganguly said the former was many times tougher than the latter.
"It's as big a job as (Sven-Goran) Eriksson's - I would say probably bigger because you have more people following (the game in India)," he said.
"Everybody has an opinion. There are lots of media, about 50 television channels and all of them thrive on this sport, that's what makes the channels run. Everybody gives an opinion how the team can play better. When you play well, they love you to bits, when you don't, they criticise you to bits."
"That's the way it is but I think after a time you just get used to it, you just put it aside and move on. At the end of the day, as long as you know you are giving your best, that's all that matters."
Ganguly in in England to play for Northamptonshire on a two-month contract.
Ganguly said he enjoyed leading the Indian team nevertheless.
"I enjoyed it because I captained India for six years, which I think is a pretty long time. I don't think many captains have captained India for six years in a row. It's hard work."
Ganguly refused to speculate on the reported non-cricketing reasons behind his exclusion from the national side.
"I don't want to comment on that. All I can say is what is in my hands is to score runs and take wickets and I'd better concentrate on that."
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