Ricky Ponting backed Rahul Dravid to continue his cricketing career

Ricky Ponting, the Australian batsman, shared that during Australia's two- match Test series against India, he had urged Rahul Dravid to keep up his struggle and not to quit International cricket.

Dravid’s cricketing career had been going through bad phase last year and in the Test series against Aussies, he could score just one half century.

"I remember after our last series in India there was a lot of talk and speculation about Dravid being finished," Ponting told media.

The senior Australian cricketer added that at the end of the series, he met Dravid and suggested him not to retire as he had potential in him, which proved that the Indian was a very good player.

 “I just said 'don't let them wear you down, don't let them get you down'. I received a similar text message before and after the Ashes from him as well," added Ponting.

Dravid is receiving great appreciations, contrary to the other Indian players, after his marvellous and responsible performance in the recently concluded four-match Test series against England, which India lost 4-0.

He proved to be the only performing batsmen from his side, as he ended the Test series being the third highest run-scorer, hitting 461 runs at an average of 76.83, including three centuries. None of his other fellow batsmen could score a single century even for once in the series against English.

His first century was seen in the first innings of first Test match, as he hit 103 runs off 220 balls including 15 boundaries and remained unbeaten.

Dravid continued with his sparkling form while batting at the opening in the second Test match at Trent Bridge, and again hit a huge 117 runs off 235 balls, including 15 fours.

Dravid’s best batting performance came in the fourth and final Test of the series, where he hit an unbeaten 146 runs off 266 balls, including 20 fours.

The veteran was awarded the Man of the Series title along with English pacer Stuart Broad, who claimed 25 wickets at an average of 13.84.

After facing 4-0 white wash from England, India will now face the hosts in the only Twenty20 and five-match One-Day International series.