Cook hints he's nearing end as England captain

31-year-old is set to become The Three Lion's most capped skipper in five-day format in Rajkot Test

LONDON: Alastair Cook has indicated that the upcoming Test series against India could be his last as England captain.

The 31-year-old is set to break Michael Atherton's record of 54 Tests as England captain when he leads the tourists in the first of five-match series against India in Rajkot on Wednesday.

The Essex left-hander, while talking to the Cricketer magazine quoted by the Times newspaper,  said that he wants to continue playing the five-day format as a batsman regardless of whatever happens to his captaincy.

"Deep down I don't know how much longer I am going to carry on [as captain]," said Cook. "It could be two months, it could be a year."

Cook became England captain in 2012 and promptly led his side to a 2-1 series win in India that year.

In total, Cook has won 24 of his Tests as captain, a tally that includes two home Ashes series triumphs.

His tally of 10,688 runs in 135 Tests is the highest by any England batsman and includes a century on debut, against India in Nagpur in 2006.

That was the first of 29 Test hundreds, another England record, and Cook would like to return to the ranks before he retires from international cricket.

"I do look forward to the day when hopefully I can play a Test match as just a batter, there's no doubt about that," said Cook. "If that happens, I am going to really enjoy standing at first slip and being the bloke who makes suggestions to whoever's in charge and not being the bloke who has to make the final decision.

"There have been some tough moments and amazing moments and you can enjoy the success that little bit more because of what you go through as England captain."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC radio on Monday that Cook could relinquish the leadership of the team either following the India series of after the 2017/18 Ashes tour of Australia.

"These next six or seven weeks are not crucial for Cook, he is breaking records and he has four or five years left as a batsman, if his mind wants to play that long," said Vaughan. "He'd be a real good sounding board and be able to see when the new captain is under stress. He would be the perfect foil."