After the flurry of flash bulbs slowed down, Dravid said: “I would like
to announce my retirement from international and domestic first-class
cricket. It has been 16 years since I first played a Test match for
India. 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. I have had a wonderful time, but now it is time for a new
generation of young players to make their own history
Dravid, second only to Sachin Tendulkar for the sheer quantum of runs
(13,288 in 164 Tests with 36 centuries and 210 catches), stressed that
there was no ‘Eureka moment' which helped him decide on retiring from a
game that he has enriched with gutsy runs laced with a gentleman's
demeanour.
“I arrived at this decision after considerable thought. Even if things
had gone in a different way in Australia, I still believe that I would
have arrived at this decision,” said the 39-year-old batsman, who was
not at his best during his stints at Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and
Adelaide.
The former India captain finished his speech with the words: “I leave
the game with wonderful memories and strong friendships. It is a great
gift to have.” The immediate heart-felt applause reflected the enormous
respect that he garnered in a riveting international career since 1996.
The accolades continued when BCCI president N. Srinivasan, who has known
Dravid since his club cricket days for India Cements in Chennai, said:
“Not only has Rahul been a great player, he has been a great ambassador
for cricket and for India. He is irreplaceable.”
Anil Kumble, Dravid's former teammate and current president of the
Karnataka State Cricket Association, was equally effusive in his praise
and said: “It has been a glorious career embellished by Rahul's
contributions to many a memorable victory. Rare are those individuals
that hold the unique combination of exceptional talent and commitment.
He is someone who is constantly in search of perfection.”
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