Alastair Cook hints at stepping down as captain on eve of India vs England series

Cook admits he looks forward to playing 'a Test match as just a batter'

Alastair Cook has suggested that his time as England Test captain could be coming to an end (Getty)

Alastair Cook has hinted that his time as England Test captain could be coming to an end.

Cook, who got the job in 2012, will lead his country for a record 54th time when the first Test against India starts in Rajkot on Wednesday, going past Michael Atherton's tally between 1993 and 1998.

He has led the side to 24 victories, including two Ashes victories, but has suggested his appetite for the job may be diminishing.

"Deep down I don't know how much longer I am going to carry on," he said in an interview in the Cricketer magazine.

"It could be two months, it could be a year.

"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.


 Cook leads England against India on Wednesday 
 (Getty)

"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.

"It makes me feel very satisfied that I've been able to do it for a long period of time and I've had a really good crack at it.

"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."

The game in Rajkot will be Cook's 136th Test and he has amassed 10,688 runs.

PA