Sydney, Jul 11: On the field or off it, India remains the favoured destination of Australian test captain Steve Waugh.
Test cricket's most capped player wants to end his long and illustrious career in India and then carry on his association with the country through his "life-long pursuit" -- 'Udayan', the home for children of leprosy patients in Kolkata which he promotes.
"I would like to end my career in India," Waugh said in an interview.
Australia is scheduled to tour India next year and Waugh has never hidden his ambition of winning a test series in that country -- something which an Australian side has never achieved since 1969. Steve Waugh, who led the world beating Australian side, had failed to conquer the "final frontier" in 2001 and he wants to take one last shot at fulfilling his long-cherished desire.

But the thorough professional that he is, Waugh said right now he was concentrating all his energies on Australia's upcoming assignment -- a first-ever test series against Bangladesh at home.

"The India series is still a long way off and i am focussing on Bangladesh at the moment," he said.

But one thing he has never lost sight of is his charity work in Kolkata. Ever since he visited 'Udayan' in 1998 after yet another test series defeat in India, Steve Waugh has been passionately involved with the charity, visiting the home on a regular basis. He has even started a separate girls' wing. But the thorough professional that he is, Waugh said right now he was concentrating all his energies on Australia's upcoming assignment -- a first-ever test series against Bangladesh at home.

Bureau Report.