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Agence France-Presse

Alastair Cook has indicated the upcoming test series against India could be his last as England captain.
But the 31-year-old Essex left-hander said that whatever his future as skipper, he would like to continue his test career purely as an opening batsman.
Cook is set 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.
“Deep down I don’t know how much longer I am going to carry on,” he said in an interview with this month’s Cricketer magazine quoted by The Times newspaper.
“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.
In total, Cook has won 24 of his tests as captain, a tally that includes two home Ashes series triumphs.
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.
England skipper Alastair Cook glad to get ‘carried along’ with riotous Joe Root
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.
“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,” said 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 make the final decision.
“There have been some tough moments and amazing moments and you can enjoy that success that little bit more because of what you go through as England captain.”
Alastair Cook reaches milestone as England win to clinch test series
Former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC radio on Monday that Cook could relinquish the leadership of the team either following 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,” said 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.”


Alistair Cook hints he’s nearing the end as England captain ahead of daunting India test series

England captain Alastair Cook has indicated he is thinking about relinquishing the captaincy. Photo: AFP

(FILES) This file photo taken on October 30, 2016 shows England's captain Alastair Cook playing a shot during the third day of the second Test match between Bangladesh and England at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. As India begin their five-match Test series against England this week, AFP Sport takes a look at key players on both sides. If England's skipper can repeat the form he displayed in India four years ago, then the tourists could well emulate that triumph. Cook scored 562 runs, including three centuries, as he led England to their first series win in India for 28 years. / AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR

England cricket captain Alastair Cook (L) takes a catch as teammates Joe Root (C) and Ben Stokes look on during a training session at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on November 5, 2016. England are due to play a five-match Test cricket series against India, with the first Test at Rajkot from November 9-13. / AFP PHOTO / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE

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The 31-year-old indicates he has begun to think about stepping down as England skipper


Alistair Cook hints he’s nearing the end as England captain ahead of daunting India test series

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 31-year-old indicates he has begun to think about stepping down as England skipper

The 31-year-old indicates he has begun to think about stepping down as England skipper