India's bowling spearhead Javagal Srinath bid adieu toTest cricket to focus on next year's World Cup.
"It's a hard decision (to retire from Testcricket). Now I will focus on the World Cup," the 32-year-old paceman, whotook 232 wickets in 64 Tests, told a new conference in Bangalore yesterday.
Srinath said he had been contemplating the move in thelast six to seven months, and had intimated BCCI.
He said BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya told himyesterday to think over his decision to quit for a day.
"I am open to one-dayers", said the right-armfast medium bowler, who has taken 276 wickets in the shorter version of thegame.
Advertisement
"I have some cricket left in me. I want to playobjective cricket and channelise it properly (for the World Cup)," Srinath,who made his Test debut against Australia at Brisbane in 1991-92, said.
The fifth and final Test against the West Indies inJamaica ten days ago was his last appearance in the longer version of the game.
Leading the Indian bowling attack for many years now,Srinath is known for his smooth action.
Srinath said he had made his mind known to skipper SauravGanguly and coach John Wright before returning from the West Indies. "Theywere not keen on my decision (to quit). They said there is still cricket left inme."
Advertisement
He said he wanted to be in "perfect shape"and "right frame of mind" for the World Cup, solely focusing on thebig event. "I am very keen to play (in the)World Cup".
A pinch-hitter as well, Srinath, who had a stint withGloucestershire in 1995, said the decision to retire from Test cricket was hisown and he was fully satisfied with his 12-year career.
"I had a good stint in both Test cricket and onedayers", he said but added that he was disappointed to some extent. "Icould have done better," Srinath remarked.
He said it was sad that India was not winning manymatches abroad and also noted that during his career also, India could not finda solution to this (not winning abroad).
Among his "highs" were the recent win againstthe West Indies in Trinidad and leg spinner Anil Kumble's ten wicket haul whichenabled India to beat Pakistan at New Delhi.
Asked if he would come back to Test cricket if given a"desperate call," he said he did not really know. He hoped such asituation did not arise, and added that his retirement was final.
Srinath said he could not have gone on and on andremarked: "It's good to see a lot of fast bowlers coming up.
Meanwhile, ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble describedSrinath's retirement as "unexpected" and said he personally thoughtthe speedster could have played for some more time.
Advertisement
"I did not expect it (Srinath's retirement).Personally I think he could have played more," Kumble said here. "Butthen I think he knows his body (better)." Describing him as a "greatbowler", Kumble said Srinath would be very difficult to replace. "Theteam would definitely miss him."
However, Kumble felt Srinath had taken a"difficult" decision very gracefully.
Kumble, who played with Srinath for Karnataka too, saidit was a privilege playing in the same team as the fast bowler.
PTI
