Almost sixteen years after Rahul Dravid first wore the prestigious India jersey, the tenacious right-hander has announced his retirement from international cricket. The world listened heavy-hearted as Dravid finally confirmed what was bring rumoured ever since India ended the Test series in Australia on a disappointing note.

"I felt it was the right time for me to move on, for a next generation of cricketers to play and take the team forward. A lot of these decisions just come to you in different ways. I just felt the time was right. I needed to move on," Dravid said with characteristic restraint in a press conference he had called at Bengaluru.

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially for a cricketer as revered and respected as Dravid, but the legend felt he was satisfied with what he had achieved in his career.

“[Cricket] is all I've known; from that point of view it was a difficult decision. But I knew deep down the time was right. I was very happy and comfortable in what I had achieved and what I had done."

Dravid’s colleague for over 20 years, both, in the Karnataka and the India side, Anil Kumble praised the 39-year-old’s determination and ability to make the most of a difficult situation. “Rare are those individuals that hold the unique combination of exceptional talent and commitment. His ability to concentrate for long hours remains unmatched. He is someone who is constantly in search of perfection and [is] striving for excellence at all times.”

N Srinivasan, President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, too acknowledged Dravid’s contribution to the sport in a heartfelt tribute.

“None of us really want to see such great players go away. We all think everybody is permanent. I think deciding when to retire is possibly the hardest decision that Rahul [Dravid] has ever faced.

“All of us have been proud and privileged to see one of the finest cricketers India has ever produced. [It has been a privilege] to see him play for the last 16 years, play with great commitment to India,” Srinivasan added.

Dravid ends his career as the second highest run-getter in Tests but the consummate professional admitted that his journey was not without its fair share of disappointments.

"When you play for 16 years, you will face highs and lows. There have been many disappointments and great highs. There is a huge sense of satisfaction that I have always given it my best shot. I have left no stone unturned in trying to become the best cricketer I can become. Absolutely no regrets," he told a hall packed with reporters from across the country and media platforms.

A team man to the core, Dravid said that his peers supported his decision to move on and that he had been assessing his options for over a year.

“For a year now after each and every series I have assessed [my situation in the game]. When I came back from Australia, I wanted to take the emotion out of it and look at it dispassionately. I have spoken to Sachin [Tendulkar] and to my team-mates and all of them were supportive.”

Dravid’s retirement leaves a huge void in cricket; his integrity and adherence to the spirit of the game will be missed as much as his unparalleled skill and determination. “It is a sad day personally for me because I have watched him grow from his Ranji Trophy days, from the days he played club cricket in Chennai to the days he captained India,” Srinivasan said about one of the nation’s biggest heroes.

“He did whatever the team wanted; whether it was to keep wickets, open the innings, bat at any position asked of him. He took the maximum number of catches in Test cricket – there’s very little else left for him to achieve,” Srinivasan said, standing by Dravid’s decision to bow out of the international arena.

Kumble went on to celebrate Dravid’s unique ability to withstand pressure, offering glimpses of his time with a cherished mate.

“We have shared some wonderful moments on the field and have had our share of worries as well. In all of it, you have been a constant friend and a colleague that I depended on for advice.

“His reassuring presence at the crease or on the field allowed every other batsman to play the rare indiscrete shot. I was really fortunate to have played alongside you. You are the perfect ambassador for cricket and an ideal team man,” Kumble said to sum up his thoughts on the occasion.

What next? – was the obvious question on everyone’s mind, but Dravid said that he was merely looking forward to taking some time off cricket.

“What will I do? I have the IPL and then a couple of months to relax . I have not decided [yet]. Come June I'll decide what lies ahead of me," he confessed.

Clouds of pessimism have been hovering over the Indian team after their recent overseas debacles, but Dravid believed that he was saying goodbye on a positive note.

"We are all disappointed about England and Australia. Having said that, I believe Indian cricket is in a good place. There is a bunch of talented batsmen waiting in the wings. When I look back at myself as a 23-year-old, I was nowhere near as talented as some of these kids. But talent alone is not enough. I hope two or three [young players] can establish themselves and play for the Indian team for a long time. It's going to be a challenging and interesting time," Dravid said before signing off.

Replacing Rahul Dravid the gritty run-machine is certainly a challenge for Indian cricket. But to find another gentleman of his character and class is inarguably an impossible task.