Adelaide, Mar 9 (IANS): Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has showered praise on retired Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, calling him a "phenomenal man" and the "nicest guy" he has ever met in cricket.

Dravid, one of India's most successful batsman, called an end to his 16-year-old international career in Bangalore Friday.

"I've been very lucky to have a really good association with Rahul. He's probably the nicest guy - no, he is the nicest guy - that I've met in cricket. He's a phenomenal man," Watson was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"He loves the game with so much passion, it's in his blood and in his heart. He is certainly going to be sorely missed by the Indian public and the cricket loving public as well," he added.

Watson, who will play under Dravid for the Rajasthan Royals in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League, said that he would try to learn as much from him as possible.

"I suppose I'm lucky that he's my captain for Rajasthan so I'll continue to talk cricket as much as I possibly can because I do love talking to him. He's got a lot of knowledge to be able to give."

Watson, who was out with injury in India's 0-4 rout at the hands of Australia, said that the Indian batsmen was still in good form and owed his failure in the series Down Under to some good bowling by the home team.

"I was actually talking to Rahul during the IPL last year and he was contemplating whether he was actually going to come out to Australia," he said.

"But after having such an amazing England series he obviously felt it would be a great option to come out to Australia.

"I suppose in the end it showed the dominance of our bowlers because Rahul was still in pretty good touch but our bowlers just bowled so well to him," added Watson.