Hope Sachin sign off on high-Rahul Dravid

MUMBAI: There is perhaps no one who can claim to have spent more time with Sachin Tendulkar on the cricket field. Having shared numerous partnerships with him in the middle, having seen him bat since the maestro was 15, Rahul Dravid, a batting colossus himself, sure knows the legend and his game inside-out. "What he has accomplished is difficult to replicate," Dravid said at a promotional event in the city on Monday.

"He has never let his standard come down. His love for cricket has been consistent from the age of 16 to even now at 40. I would like that he does well in his last two Tests and signs off with a good performance. I hope he enjoys both these games. He has worked hard for so many years now, so he deserves a good farewell," Dravid felt. "I just want to wish him all the best and say 'thank you' for all that he has done for Indian cricket for the last 24 years," Dravid added.

Would he come to the Wankhede Stadium to watch his final match for India? "I hope to be there. I hope to do some media work around that time," he said.

Dravid felt that while it was impossible to replace a batsman of Tendulkar's class in the Indian team, there are talented batsmen around who can help fill that void to some extent. "There are some good young talented players around. What Virat has been able to do in one-day cricket and Test cricket is quite exceptional. I think India's one-day batting is good as I have ever seen it. Our top six-seven are just sensational," he said.

Dravid has sympathy for Indian bowlers who have disappointed during the on-going ODI series against Australia. "It's been a tough series for the bowlers. It's hard to blame them. I won't be too critical of our bowlers. They are young and inexperienced. With all these field restrictions coming in, it's not easy to be a bowler. What needs to be an acceptable bowling performance for them probably needs to be re-assessed."

Sunil Gavaskar says, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid my best students

New Delhi:  Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar hailed Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid's contribution to Indian and international cricket. He however told NDTV that choosing the better player is impossible.

Both Tendulkar and Dravid played their final T20 match on Sunday in the Champions League T20 title clash. They may have been playing the match for opposite teams but Gavaskar said their combination for India has been phenomenal. "Both are my absolute favourites. I would not even dare to take sides because it's like the left and the right hand and you need both your hands to perform. And they themselves agree - Rahul at three, Sachin at four have saved India so many times," he said. "The two have fed off each other and have been wonderful," he added. Dravid and Tendulkar hold the record for most number of century partnerships - 20 - in Tests.Dravid, in particular, did get Gavaskar's special accolade for his leadership skills. Leading his team through the Indian Premier League spot-fixing controversy was a brave and successful endeavor, he said. "If you look at how he rallied the team after what happened in May, to be able to build the confidence among each other in the dressing room is a huge thing."Gavaskar further said that he feels Dravid will be an able cricket administrator, moving forward. "Because he is such a great one for preparation, I think somebody like him would be fantastic as far as administration is concerned. He would certainly bring a lot of thought into it and that's what every administration needs," he said.

Retiring from Test cricket made me more emotional: Rahul Dravid

NEW DELHI: He has been the finest ambassador for India in the traditional form of the game and Rahul Dravid, after calling time on his cricket career, remained true to his first love -- Test cricket.

"It was (emotional) in some ways. It's when you give up Test cricket, that's when you feel emotional," Dravid said when asked whether he felt emotional turning up for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians in the last match of his professional career.

"It was a privilege to lead such a bunch. The franchise has gone through a lots of ups and downs. It has been the same group and there was great working environment," Dravid, who captained Rajasthan Royals to the final of Champions League T20, said.

As he has done on many occasions, Dravid did mention that the spot-fixing scandal involving India international S Sreesanth was "very disappointing".

"It wasn't an ideal thing to have happened. I don't want to comment specifically but those were extremely challenging times," Dravid told in an interview to a TV channel.

Dravid felt that the spot-fixing incident is a lesson for the cricket establishment that one needs to be "vigilant".

"Look, people who want to corrupt the game are not going to go away. It's a lot about the choices that an individual makes. We have to be vigilant."

Dravid gave a logical answer as to why he came in at No 8 during the final last night.

"Chasing a target with an asking rate of 11 per over is certainly not my strength at 40 plus," he laughed.

"It has been a memorable journey with the Royals. It started three years back and last two years, I have been a captain. The whole campaign has been excellent. Yesterday was a good night and I got a lovely reception from the Delhi crowd."

He was all praise for veteran Praveen Tambe who grabbed 12 scalps in the tournament to emerge as highest wicket-taker.

"While we play international cricket, we must never forget that we have the Praveens of the world playing for along with us in the club matches. It's a heart warming story of Praveen's skill, fortitude and attitude."

The best part about retirement according to Dravid "is not having to practise anymore".

"I will get to spend more time with my family. I haven't planned about my second innings. Right now however, I need a holiday."