Dravid to announce retirement: Reports

Reports say the 39-year-old was set to end his career in the national team after his wretched tour of Australia.

NEW DELHI: Indian batting superstar Rahul Dravid, the second-highest runscorer in Tests of all time, is set to announce his retirement from international cricket on Friday, reports say.

The Press Trust of India and the Cricinfo website both said the 39-year-old was set to end his career in the national team after his wretched tour of Australia, where India were whitewashed 4-0 in the Test series.

Dravid, popularly known as "The Wall," scored only 194 runs in eight innings and was bowled out in six of them as Australian paceman Ben Hilfenhaus repeatedly breached his defence with ease.

India's once-formidable but now ageing batting stars Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar are all under pressure after the team's performance in India.

Dravid is to address a press conference in Bangalore on Friday alongside the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, N Srinivasan, the Press Trust of India reported, citing a statement.

The one-time India captain retired from short formats of the international game last year, but had vowed to continue in Tests.