India dismiss Dravid retirement

The 39-year-old scored just 194 runs as India lost their Test series Down Under 4-0 to the hosts, and immediately there was talk of a number of their older guard calling it a day.

Dravid was not the only one to disappoint, with VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag also performing well below par in Australia, and Indian selectors could well make changes after such a poor display.

All the talk after the fourth Test surrounded Dravid though, but Indian team spokesman GS Walia read out a statement denying any retirement before Sehwag's post-match press conference.

"The team takes note of the stories in the media suggesting the imminent retirement of a member of the India team," he said, referring to Dravid.

"We would like to clarify that situation by stating categorically that these are not correct and are baseless. There will be no further questions on this."

Sehwag

Sehwag, who was stand-in captain for the fourth Test, scored just 198 runs in the series while 37-year-old Laxman made even less with just 155 to his name.

Dravid is behind only Sachin Tendulkar in terms of Test runs with 13,288 during his brilliant career during he which he picked up the nickname The Wall for his stubborn defence.

Sehwag insisted that no player needed to retire and added that making changes would only serve to be a knee-jerk reaction after such a heavy defeat.

"I don't think there is a need for retirement of any player in this team and they will take their call when they're needed and when they think their time is up," he said.

"I don't think changes are due because the same team was playing in the last couple of years when we became the number one team in the world with the same batting and bowling line-up.

"That's for the team management and selectors to decide. It's not me and anybody else who will decide. If they think we need changes then they do that."

Passion

Sehwag also had to respond to claims that India showed a lack of passion during the series and did not care about losing in such a manner.

"That's very unfair," he said. "I think everybody cares about their performances, about India losing the game.

"We are very passionate about our game and passionate about our team and it's a shame that people are talking about that.

"If you lose the game you should work out what went wrong and come back and perform well in our next games. We are trying that, but it's not happening and it doesn't mean that we are happy to lose here."

Opener Sehwag also appealed for their passionate home fans to stick by them once they return home and cheer them on despite having to watch such a poor performance in Australia.

"They should be upset with our performances and I totally agree with them, but this is the time the fans should back the team," Sehwag said.

"When we won the World Cup everyone was happy and cheering for Team India, and now this time we need the support of the fans and everybody, they should back their own team."