During Saturday's the post-match press conference, stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag took up the cudgels on behalf of his beleaguered senior teammates, saying he saw no reason for them to retire in the wake of India's 0-4 series loss.
"I don't think there is a need for any player in the team to retire," said the 33-year-old Sehwag. "They (seniors) will take their call on whether they're needed, or when they think their time is up," he added after the India team's media manager GS Walia described as "baseless" a news agency report that Rahul Dravid, 39, would announce his retirement.
"The team takes note of the stories in the media suggesting the imminent retirement of a member of the India team. We would like to clarify that situation by stating categorically that these are not correct and are baseless," the statement said.
Asked what was the way forward after losing eight Tests abroad, Sehwag was quick on the draw. "The best way is to forget what happened and to concentrate on what we are going to do in the coming matches. We must practice hard, plan well and try and execute our plans on the field," he said.
India slip to third in ICC Test rankings
The whitewash at the hands of Australia on Saturday resulted in India dropping a rung to third spot in the ICC Test rankings, with Michael Clarke's team breathing down their neck just a fraction of a point behind in the table.
India, who entered the series in second place on 118 ratings points, have fallen to 111 ratings points while fourth-ranked Australia have boosted their standing in the Championship table after gaining eight ratings points which put them alongside their rivals, the ICC said.
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