Sunil Gavaskar has consoled Sourav Ganguly for missing out on Wisden's list of the world's top 40 cricketers.

The batting legend, who was in Kolkata on Wednesday, advised the Indian skipper against taking British compliment or brickbat seriously.

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"You are India's best captain with or without the Wisden's sanction," Gavaskar told Ganguly, according to a source who was privy to their telephonic conversation.

The Wisden list includes five Indian cricketers -- Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virendra Sehwag and Anil Kumble.

Gavaskar, who is chairman of the National Cricket Academy, inspected the NCA's eastern zone facility in the city.

His surprise visit caught some of the academy coaches unawares as they arrived late for practice.

On his way back to the airport, Gavaskar telephoned Ganguly and congratulated him on the team's remarkable showing in Pakistan.

The little master told Ganguly that beating Pakistan in their country was a tremendous achievement.

Gavaskar also scoffed at suggestions that India's success was because the Pakistan team was not at full strength.