Indian cricketer Dravid announces retirement from international cricket

Bangalore, Mar 9 (PTI) Indian cricket's batting great Rahul Dravid, the second most prolific batsman in the game's history and the country's middle order bulwark for years, today bid adieu to Test cricket, bringing down the curtains on a glorious 16-year career. The 39-year-old Dravid, a former India captain, became the first of the three ageing greats of Indian cricket, besides Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, to retire in the aftermath of India's disastrous Test tour of Australia. "I would like to announce my retirement from international and domestic first-class cricket. It is 16 years since I played my first Test match for India and today I feel it is time to move on. Once I was like every other boy in India, with a dream of playing for my country. Yet I could never have imagined a journey so long and so fulfilling," Dravid said at a press conference here flanked by the Indian Cricket Board President N Srinivasan and former captain Anil Kumble. Dravid said "In the Indian team, I was fortunate to be part of a wonderful era when India played some of its finest cricket at home and abroad. Many of my teammates have become legends, not just in India but in the wider cricketing world. I admired them, learnt from them and I leave the game with wonderful memories and strong friendships. It is a great gift to have." Dravid had a disastrous tour of Australia where he scored only 194 runs in eight innings at an average of 24.25. Even more disappointing was that Dravid, known for his solid technique, was bowled in six out of the eight innings. There was intense speculation about Dravid's future following the Australian tour and his decision to hang his boots will now turn focus on another batting great VVS Laxman who too had a disappointing tour. Dravid had already announced his retirement from one day international cricket in England last year after been surprisingly recalled in the ODI team due to his stupendous performance during the Test series against England in which he scored three centuries. Nicknamed 'The Wall' for his dour defence, the always thoughtful-looking Dravid walked into international cricket sunset after making his debut in June 1996 though he will lead the Jaipur-based Rajasthan Royals side in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket. Dravid ended his Test career with 13,288 runs -- behind only Tendulkar (15,470 in 188 Tests) -- in 164 matches, with 36 hundreds and 63 half centuries at an average of 52.31, the 270 against Pakistan being his highest score. Initially considered a liability in the one-day arena, he re-invented his game over the years to meet the demands of the shorter format which he played from April 1996 to September 2011. He scored 10,889 runs from 344 ODIs with 12 centuries and 83 half centuries at an average of 39.16. Under his captaincy between October 2005 and September 2007, India won Test series in the West Indies as well as England but had a disastrous World Cup in 2007 when they were knocked out in the first round of the tournament. He captained India in 25 Tests and 79 ODIs. Dravid also holds the world record of highest Test catches -- 210 -- mostly at the slip cordon. He overtook Australia's Mark Waugh to become the most successful slip catcher in history. In addition to this, he has 196 catches in ODIs. Asked how long he took to reach his decision to retire, Dravid said, "For a year now after each and every series I have assessed .... when I came back from Australia I wanted to take the emotion out of it and look at it dispassionately .... I have spoken to Sachin and to my team-mates and all of them were supportive." Dravid said he thought it was right time for him to call it quits so that younger players take Indian cricket forward. Asked if there was a point that made him think of retiring, Dravid said, "There was no eureka moment .... For me, it's come with a bit of contemplation, a bit of thought with the family ...." Asked what the nickname "The Wall" meant to him, Dravid said, "I never took it seriously, to be honest .... It was a nice line for newspapers .... I never thought of it. I know people called me that fondly. So I respect it." Indian Cricket Board President N Srinivasan who also spoke at the press conference described Rahul Dravid as "irreplaceable" and a role model for the youngsters to emulate. "He is actually irreplaceable .... None of us want to see such players go away. We like to think they are permanent .... It is not easy to step away when you're still playing well," he added. Bidding adieu to Dravid, Anil Kumble, former Indian captain and fellow state mate, said he was honoured to have played alongside him for Karnataka and India. PTI