Dravid says India captaincy was too demanding

Posted 09 18 2007 12:13PM

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Rahul Dravid said he resigned as India captain because the job had become too stressful.

The 34-year-old batsman abruptly quit on Friday after a two-year term despite being under no real pressure after leading the team to their first test series win in England in 21 years.

"I had done the job for two years and they have been pretty eventful couple of years," he told the Press Trust of India (PTI) on Monday.

"Obviously, it takes a lot out of you and I felt that I was not enjoying it. The decision was personal and based on my observation of whether I would be able to give it my very best like I have always tried to."

The Indian board said Dravid wanted to focus on his batting. The selectors meet on Tuesday to name his successor.

Dravid said he contemplated quitting after the shock first-round exit in this year's World Cup and felt leading India was constantly getting tougher.

He said he finally made up his mind towards the end of the one-day series in England which India lost 4-3.

"There is no real right time for a decision like this except for the fact that you must truly enjoy the job and be committed to it and know that you can give it your all.

"There is a shelf life to the captaincy in India, in which you can give it your best. Maybe the shelf lives are becoming shorter as time goes by."