Bangalore, Jan 9 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders might have dropped their favourite son Sourav Ganguly from the team for the Indian Premier League (IPL)-4 but Chief Executive Officer Venky Mysore said they are willing to take him on board as a mentor the way Royal Challengers Bangalore did with Anil Kumble.

This, of course, he said will depend on Ganguly's inclination.

"Sourav is somebody I have always admired and have immense respect for. I still don't call him by his first name, it's always Mr. Ganguly. He has been a great ambassador for the country, whichever shape or form, he has been phenomenal," Mysore said.

When asked whether Ganguly will be offered a mentor-like role like that of Kumble, Mysore said: "It's something he will have to think about. If he is interested and inclined to take up such a role, I couldn't be happier."

Ganguly, who led Knight Riders in the previous editions, found no takers on the first day of the auction and is unsold so far.

The former India captain, who had his share of controversies with the Kolkata side, was not retained by Shahrukh Khan's team this year.