India stylish batsman and former skipper Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket on Friday.
“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.
“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.”
Dravid has scored 13,288 runs in 164 tests, including 36 hundreds, and is expected to become the first of India’s senior batsmen to retire from the longer format after the team slumped to eight consecutive test defeats away from home.
“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.
