Tendulkar's decision must be respected, whatever it is: Dravid
Tendulkar is facing constant questions about his future after failing in the England series.
NEW DELHI: Rahul Dravid came to his teammate Sachin Tendulkar’s defence after the latter ended 2012 on a low note and calls for his retirement growing.
However, Dravid said the veteran will have to take a call after dispassionate introspection.
"He s been a huge servant of the game and been fantastic for Indian cricket. He is a great player and this period has been difficult for him. He is a proud man and this would have hurt him. The thing is, people need to have a conversation with him and see what s his state of mind, what he s thinking and what his plans are,” Dravid told ESPNCricinfo.
"After that conversation, he himself will have to think about a few things because I m not sure there are many people who can take the decisions regarding Tendulkar," he said.
"...if he truly believes that, Yes, I can be around when India makes these foreign trips, if I can be around in South Africa, New Zealand, England, playing at my best, then I think it makes sense for him to back himself and fight it out."
"If he, at any stage, doubts himself and believes that he can t then he s got to start thinking about his career, and what s the future of Indian cricket as well. So it s really going to be up to him," Dravid added.
The former middle-order mainstay said whatever the decision taken by Tendulkar, it should be respected by everyone.
"Look, it s a pretty emotional time, he should take the emotion out of it, sit back, there s time before the next Australia series, sit back calmly and reflect. And irrespective of whatever decision he takes, in the end we have to respect it," he said.
