“I am 41 and 12 months are a long way ahead,” was Dravid’s reply to a media query on whether he will play the next season of the IPL.u00a0With the Royals qualifying for the Champions League T20 beginning September 17 in India, Dravid said he may not play anymore after the tournament.

“Luckily we have qualified for the Champions league, so a couple of months more. I think that will be it,” Dravid told media persons after Royals seven-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens here on Friday night.

‘Pleasure to lead Royals’
The stylish batsman, who scored 2,174 runs from 89 IPL matches, at an earlier occasion too had said he wanted to discuss about his future with his franchise. He has already retired from all other formats of the game.

Dravid lauded his teammates for splendidly rising up to challenges both on and off the field, and said it has been a “pleasure to lead this team”. u00a0Dravid said the squad has “probably given more than they been asked to”.

“Just take our team spirit, our energy... the fight we had as a group. We faced a lot of adversity both on and off the field but I think the way the guys responded to the challenges both on and off the field has been excellent.

“It’s been a pleasure to lead this team. It’s been a pleasure to work with the support staff I have had. I like to thank all my boys, all the support staff for the help they have given me.”

Dravid said it was a great feeling to hone the skills of youngsters and help them develop. “It’s great for me to see youngsters come in, that’s our USP and part of what we do in the Royals... we are forced to some ways try and bring good players on and see how they develop,” he said.

Dravid noted that the team had put in a lot of hard work to increase its potential. “It’s a great effort... everybody has given so much to it. Everyone has probably given more then they been asked to,” he added.