On the field or off it, India remains the favoured destination of Australian Test captainSteve Waugh.
Test cricket's most capped player wants to end his long and illustrious career in India and then carry on his association with the country through his "life-long pursuit" -- Udayan, the home for children of leprosy patients inKolkata which he promotes.
"I would like to end my career in India," Waugh said in an interview inSydney.
Australia is scheduled to tour India next year and Waugh has never hidden his ambition of winning a Test series inthecountry -- something which an Australian side has never achieved since 1969.
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The Waugh-led world-beating Australian side had failed to conquer the "final frontier" in 2001 and he wants to takeone last shot at fulfilling his long-cherished desire.
But the thorough professional that he is, Waugh said right now he was concentrating all his energies on Australia'supcoming assignment -- a first-ever Test series against minnows Bangladesh at home.
"The India series is still a long way off and I am focussing on Bangladesh at the moment," he said.
But one thing he has never lost sight of is his charity work in Kolkata. Ever since he visitedUdayan in 1998 afteryet another Test series defeat in India, Waugh has been passionately involved, visiting the home on aregular basis. He has even started a separate girls' wing.
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"Udayan is my pursuit for life. It is not something you start and give up," Waugh said.
"I am committed to continued support to Udayan. We are soon going to start another school for 200 needy children not far from Udayan."
Waugh said raising funds was a difficult task, even for a celebrity like him, and "it would be good to get some funding from businesses in Australia and India".
Waugh also intends to make a film on Udayan, the script for which is more or less ready and a hunt for producer anddirector is on. Though there was speculation that Waugh could act in the movie, he was non-committal. "I am a cricketer," he said.
Waugh, who was here to attend a reunion of 147 of the 197 living Australian Test cricketers, said he felt "special" everytime he walked on to the field in the baggy green cap.
"Wearing the baggy green makes us feel united and special. It intimidates the other side," he said.
"I have made a few alterations to my cap worn over the past 18 years. More than anything, it has special memories forme."
All the Australian cricketers who have gathered at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre for the black-tieevent will be presented a baggy green cap each.
"The event today is setting a precedent for the future, where we can share our stories and catch up with otherplayers. It makes us feel that we are the custodians of the game and must carry the responsibility.
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"We want to go out there and play as well," he said.
PTI
