Dravid announces retirement from Test cricket

There were no tears as India batting stalwart and former skipper Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on Friday. But it sure felt like the end of an era.

Dravid scored 13,288 runs in 164 tests, including 36 hundreds, and became the first of India’s veteran group of cricketers to announce his retirement. He will not be playing any more cricket and the retirement will be immediate. He will not play a farewell test against New Zealand.

“I am announcing my retirement from international and domestic cricket. It’s been 16 years since I first played Test cricket for India. But I could not have imagined a journey so long and fulfilling. But now it’s time for me to step aside for a new generation,” said Dravid in Bangalore. “I really did need to move on.”

“The life that I’ve lived – playing cricket for 16 years and 5 years of first-class cricket before that. It wasn’t an easy decision. I knew that the time was right. I knew that deep down I had to move on. I needed to play for the right reasons and the only reason I ever played for India was to try and win and contribute for the team. So I didn’t feel the need to come out and play a farewell match.”

Critics and fans had called for Dravid and Vangipurappu Laxman (37) to make way for new blood after India were whitewashed 4-0 in their last two away series in England and Australia.

The third member of the ‘Big Three’ Sachin Tendulkar (38) has struggled for form since reaching his 99th international century a year ago and at 38, could soon be expected to limit his participation to test matches only.

And the first one to give way to the juniors is Dravid.

“Many of my team-mates have become legends. I admired and learned from them and I leave the game with many friendships and that’s a gift,” Dravid added.

“I would like to thank the Indian cricket fan – both in India and abroad. I have been lucky to have you watch my game. I also tried to play the game in the right spirit and I may have failed at times but I never stopped trying. That is why I leave with sadness but also with pride.”

Last year, Dravid retired from the limited overs formats of the game after India’s disastrous tour of England, where the team failed to win a single match.

The stylish right-hander, one of cricket’s most technically sound batsmen, also has 12 hundreds in one-day internationals.

“All of us have been proud and privileged to watch Dravid play with great commitment for India. Not only has he been great for India on the field but he has also been a great role model. I think deciding when to retire is the hardest decision that Rahul has had to make. Thank you Rahul and we wish you very well for the future,” said N Srinivasan, BCCI president.

Dravid will continue to play in the lucrative Twenty20 India Premier League, where he will lead Rajasthan Royals, replacing the retired Shane Warne as the captain of the franchise.

Former India skipper Anil Kumble was also present at the press conference.

“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul. I have enjoyed every run you’ve scored and every moment that we shared. You were a superb combination of exceptional talent and commitment,” said Kumble. “The numbers only capture his contribution in part. You are a perfect ambassador for cricket and a superb team-man.”

With inputs from Agencies

Watch video