Adelaide, Jan 29: Veteran batsman Rahul Dravid assured that he had not taken any decision on retirement from Test cricket but agreed to the fact that his glorious career was "definitely nearer the end than the beginning".
Dravid, the second highest run-getter in Test cricket, managed just 194 runs at an average of 24.25 this tour Down Under. India suffered their second consecutive whitewash away from home, sparking speculation in the media over a possible retirement.
"I am definitely nearer the end than the beginning, there is no doubt about that. I haven't made any decision and there is no need to make any decisions now, we're not playing another Test match for seven to eight months so we'll see how it pans out.
"At my stage in my career it's always about taking it a series at a time and not looking too far ahead, so we'll see what happens," Dravid was quoted as saying by the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
India were number one in the ICC Test rankings, before being thrashed by England and another whitewash in Australia has made matters worse.
Australia thrashed India by 298 runs to complete a series whitewash at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
But Dravid emphasised the importance of India being a strong and passionate Test nation for the benefit of world cricket.
"We haven't done so well abroad over the last couple of series but I'm hopeful that some of the young kids will come through, it might take a bit of time but we'll build up a strong base.
"India needs to be a strong Test playing nation, there are not too many countries playing cricket and if India is competitive in Test cricket it does make a difference. There are areas we need to improve, especially in these challenging times, but I am hopeful," Dravid said.
Except Virat Kohli, who scored the only century, the other Indian batsmen have endured a dreadful series.
ThatsCricket
Dravid, the second highest run-getter in Test cricket, managed just 194 runs at an average of 24.25 this tour Down Under. India suffered their second consecutive whitewash away from home, sparking speculation in the media over a possible retirement.
"I am definitely nearer the end than the beginning, there is no doubt about that. I haven't made any decision and there is no need to make any decisions now, we're not playing another Test match for seven to eight months so we'll see how it pans out.
"At my stage in my career it's always about taking it a series at a time and not looking too far ahead, so we'll see what happens," Dravid was quoted as saying by the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
India were number one in the ICC Test rankings, before being thrashed by England and another whitewash in Australia has made matters worse.
Australia thrashed India by 298 runs to complete a series whitewash at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
But Dravid emphasised the importance of India being a strong and passionate Test nation for the benefit of world cricket.
"We haven't done so well abroad over the last couple of series but I'm hopeful that some of the young kids will come through, it might take a bit of time but we'll build up a strong base.
"India needs to be a strong Test playing nation, there are not too many countries playing cricket and if India is competitive in Test cricket it does make a difference. There are areas we need to improve, especially in these challenging times, but I am hopeful," Dravid said.
Except Virat Kohli, who scored the only century, the other Indian batsmen have endured a dreadful series.
ThatsCricket
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