Cook hints he's nearing end as England captain

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

Key points

• 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.
• Cook became England captain in 2012 and promptly led his side to a 2-1 series win in India that year.
• 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.
• "Deep down I don't know how much longer I am going to carry on, " remarked Cook.
• 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, remarked Cook.

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old is due 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. While talking to the Cricketer magazine quoted by the Times newspaper, remarked that he wants to continue playing the five-day format as a batsman regardless of whatever happens to his captaincy, england win first Bangladesh Test by 22 runs The Essex left-hander.

"Deep down I don't know how much longer I am going to carry on, " remarked 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. England's Wood set to miss India tour with ankle injury In total, Cook has won 24 of his Tests as captain, a tally that includes two home Ashes series triumphs.

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, remarked 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 create 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 informed BBC radio on Monday that Cook could relinquish the leadership of the team either after 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, " remarked 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."

For now, cook hints he' s nearing end as England captain remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.