Cricket fans at Adelaide show their appreciation to Gilchrist

Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist says a dropped catch in the fourth and final Test against India convinced him to retire from international cricket.

Gilchrist, whose error meant VVS Laxman survived, said it dawned on him he should quit "somewhere between the ball hitting my gloves and the ground".

The 36-year-old added: "I watched a replay and I just moved really slow.

"I realised I didn't have the absolute desperation that you need to continue to maintain your standards."

Gilchrist said that entering a new phase of his life and having new family members meant he had a lot more on his mind and had lost his competitive edge.

He said he spoke to his wife on the night of the dropped catch and decided to announce his retirement the next day.

To walk away from something you love so much was a big decision but I know it's the right one Adam Gilchrist

However, he intends to play in the forthcoming one-day internationals against India and Sri Lanka and has also signed a deal to play Twenty20 in the Indian Premier League.

"I've been a bit of a reluctant starter with Twenty20," he said. "I was a bit of a traditionalist and not sure about the short version of the game.

"But over time, and having played more of it, I've realised it's an important part of the cricket infrastructure now."

Gilchrist admitted to a wave of conflicting emotions on his final day of Test cricket.

"It's happiness, joy, sadness, every emotion you could imagine," he said after Australia were held to a draw by India in Adelaide.

"Anyone who's played sport and loved it will know how I feel. To walk away from something you love so much was a big decision but I know it's the right one.

"I have been stunned and overawed by the response."

Gilchrist, who announced on Saturday that he would retire from international cricket after next month's one-day series, was given a guard of honour by his colleagues at the start of the final day's play in the fourth Test.

He said his proudest moments were captaining Australia to their breakthrough series win in India in 2004 and scoring 149 to catapult his side to victory in last year's World Cup final.

"To captain that team for the bulk of the series (against India) and be part of the leadership group that constructed that group was the highest point and greatest achievement of my career personally," he said.

"And to have played that knock in the World Cup final, on the biggest stage possible at the right time - it's very rare everything goes to plan all at once. That was really pleasing."