Younis Khan credits Rahul Dravid for progress as batsman

Younis Khan is ready to lead the national side once again if given the opportunity

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has credited Rahul Dravid for making him a top batsman, NDTVSports reports. The veteran batsman also opened up on his decision to quit national team captaincy in 2009 and voiced his opinion on T20s and IPL.

The 37-year-old, who has a formidable record against India, said that conversations with the current India ‘A’ coach while on tour and on a couple of other occasions was instrumental in making him a good top-order batsman.

"The tips and advice I got from Dravid at the early stages of my career helped me develop into a top batsman who was comfortable at the number three position,” Younis said. "Dravid was a top class professional and one of the greats of the modern era and I learnt from him.”

Younis who was appointed Pakistan captain in early 2009 opened up on his decision to quit captaincy less than a year into his tenure.

"When I was made captain in 2009 I had told the then Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt that if I didn't deliver I would resign from the captaincy myself, he said. “I decided to resign as captain when we were in Abu Dhabi playing against New Zealand in late 2009 because I felt I couldn't deliver as I couldn't unite the team."

Younis said though that it was a wrong decision and if another opportunity came his way now, he would welcome it with open arms.

“No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. I also made mistakes and one of them was to leave the captaincy. But now I realise it is a big honour to lead your country and If I get a chance to lead the team again I will do it," he said.

He has been at loggerheads with the present hierarchy for quite some time, launching a scathing verbal attack against current Test captain Misbah-Ul-Haq and coach Waqar Younis last month. He once again reiterated that he should be treated with more respect.

"I have never disrespected anyone in my life. I have always thought about Pakistan first and then myself. No captain or coach can say Younis didn't support them or backed out of a given challenge. But I believe that every player whether he has played 100 tests or one test deserves to be treated with respect,” he said.

The T20 format is for youngsters: Younis Khan

Younis, who led Pakistan to victory in the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009, also explained his decision to quit the post after clinching the trophy.

"Ijaz Butt was ready to take hard decisions even with players. He supported me a lot as captain and he was the one who made me the captain and we went on to win the World T20 Cup in England in 2009. (But) I still believe this cricket is for youngsters and you can see that in the other cricket nations as well."

The right-handed batsman, who didn’t have a good stint in the IPL, said that he was never really excited personally about the cash-rich tournament.

“Yes, it is true I was not happy when I got to play just one match for the Rajasthan team in the IPL. I don't know what were the reasons for captain Shane Warne to not play me,” Younis said.

“But I felt offended that even though we had qualified for the knockout stage with a few matches remaining in the league stage they still gave me just one match. But to be honest after looking at the environment in the first IPL I don't think I would have been able to adjust there as well myself," he said.

However, he was in full support of the IPL and expressed belief that it will continue to be a success in spite of the controversies surrounding the T20 league.

"Look where there is big money there will always be scandals. This is life. The element of greed is always present. But it is good for the players as they are earning well and it is good entertainment for the people as well," Younis said.