India's ageing five urged to make graceful exits

By Sanjay Rajan

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Five veteran Indian players have been told to plan their retirements by December to avoid unceremonious exits from the national team, Indian cricket board officials said on Wednesday.

"They have been given the next two home series to time a graceful exit following which they are open to the axe," one of the officials, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters.

Cricket-mad India is fiercely debating whether it is time for their record-breaking batsmen Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman as well as spinner Anil Kumble, the test captain, all well into their 30s, to quit.

Ganguly, 36, India's most successful test skipper, was retained in the squad on Wednesday for the first two tests of this month's home series against Australia along with the other seniors, belying media predictions he could be dropped.

The official said the five players would have to decide on their futures by the end of the home series against Australia, starting on Oct. 9, followed by England.

They have played together for 12 years and have individually or collectively led India to most of their wins, although signs of decline are evident with only Tendulkar still part of the one-day set-up.

VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT