While there was excitement following reports that former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been offered a BJP ticket to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the cricketer on Saturday confirmed that he has declined the proposal.

In the city for a TV shoot at the Wankhede, Ganguly said that the BJP had offered him a ticket to contest the polls. “Yes, the BJP did make an offer. However, I have declined it. I won’t be contesting the elections,” he said.

On Saturday, it was reported that Ganguly was offered a ticket to contest in the Lok Sabha polls by the BJP. The party’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, had reportedly suggested that the legendary cricketer would be made the sports minister if they manage to form the government.

If not Lok Sabha, would he partner his opening mate Sachin Tendulkar in Rajya Sabha?

“No. My place is cricket ground, not the Parliament,” Ganguly said.