RAHUL DRAVID: INDIA HAS AN UNHEALTHY OBSESSION WITH WORLD CUP

Rahul Dravid does not foresee himself playing the next World Cup and the Team India captain insists India has an unhealthy obsession with the quadrennial cricketing extravaganza. "It is probably unlikely that I will play another World Cup. I am already 34 and by next World Cup, I would be 38. The game is getting younger and people are coming on. You never know what future has in store, but you have to be realistic," Dravid said.

Always under tremendous pressure to perform, Dravid felt the cricket-loving public just goes crazy during the World Cup. "I genuinely believe we have an unhealthy obsession with World Cup and the build up starts too early in India. We should have done better with the team we had. I went there with a positive set of mind but things did not work out."

India's disastrous Caribbean campaign saw his side losing to Bangladesh and failing to reach the Super Eight stage and Dravid admitted it rankles him. "I knew this was my last World Cup and so I was very disappointed," he told a TV channel.

But the disappointment is now a matter of the past, claims Dravid. "After the World Cup, I did get emotional for a while but you move on. I tried to put everything in perspective and balance life. After all, there are new challenges and new things to do," he said.

"My life did not stop for we could not do better in the World Cup. Other countries are very good in finding the balance, like the Australians who never stop in raising the bar."

RAHUL DRAVID SETS HIS SIGHTS ON PROLIFIC ENGLISH SUMMER

He fell five-run shy of a ton in his very first Test some 11 years ago but Team India captain Rahul Dravid still cherishes every moment of his debut match at cricket's traditional and spiritual home, the Lord's.

Dravid was batting on 95 when he edged one to the wicketkeeper and walked in the 1996 Test to see Sourav Ganguly outshine him with a debut ton.

On Thursday, Dravid leads the Indian team in the first Test against England and the stylish right-hander said he had no regrets even though he fell tantalisingly short of becoming the fourth cricketer to score a century on debut at Lord's.

"I couldn't have scripted it better. Just playing for India would have been special, to be honest with you - whether it had been in Chittagong or at Lord's. But for it to have happened at Lord's - really the home of cricket," Dravid told 'Cricinfo' website.

In awe of the venue and its rich history, Dravid said "To have known that so many great cricketers had played at that ground - the tradition, history. They really have maintained the culture and traditions in the ground.

"And whatever people may say, you do feel it. There's something about walking down those steps at Lord's. I do feel it definitely. So for me it was special to have played at Lord's and to have actually done well there. Every time I've gone there, I've always felt nice in some ways." Dravid said playing in England was a dream which, like every aspiring cricketer, he cherished at the bottom of his heart and touring the country was realising that dream.

INZYSPEAK: INDIA IS ON TOP, BUT WE IS TRY TO BOUNCE ON OUR BACK!!

This is an actual conversation that took place between Rameez Raza and Inzamam-ul-Haq after 3rd ODI between India and Pakistan played in Lahore on 13 February 2006

RAMEEZ RAZA: So Inzy, disappointed with your performance today?

INZY: Bismilla-e-rehman-e-rahim. Thank you allah. Ya the Indian batsman is play very good today. We is try very hard but is not win the game.

RAMEEZ: Any words for Dhoni?

INZY: Ya, Dhoni is play very well. He is hit his shot very hard in our gaps. In start, we is protect our gaps very well. The grass is also thick.. but Dhoni is split our gaps with his bat.

RAMEEZ: Another ordinary bowling performance?

INZY: Ya our balls is loose. The bowler is went for many run. Asif is bowled well. Also, after some shots the ball is out of shape. Umpire is not give another ball.. it is tough to play with one ball.

RAMEEZ: Dropped catches.. did that prove costly?

INZY: Ya the ball is not stick to our hands. We is practice a lot sticking our bat in our hands.. but now we is more practice sticking balls in our hands.

RAMEEZ: Any plans for the next match?

INZY: Ya, India is on top, but we is try to bounce on our back. Insha Allah we is play better.

RAMEEZ: All the best Inzy

INZY: Thank is you