Dravid - 'I felt in control throughout'
Rahul Dravid's assured century against Pakistan lost out on the limelight because Sachin Tendulkar reached 10,000 Test runs on the same day
Anand Vasu in Kolkata
16-Mar-2005
Rahul Dravid's assured century against Pakistan lost out on the limelight because Sachin Tendulkar reached 10,000 Test runs on the same day. But, to him, it was still a special innings simply for the manner in which the runs came.
 |
|
On whether he was especially in control during this innings
I quite enjoyed the rhythm that I had throughout the day. I felt in control throughout my innings. There are a lot of days when you can turn up and score a hundred but still not feel in control and have to fight very hard. Today I somehow felt right in control from the beginning and in that sense it was a pleasing knock becaause it was fluent and I hit the ball right from the middle of the bat. It's definitely one of my better hundreds.
I quite enjoyed the rhythm that I had throughout the day. I felt in control throughout my innings. There are a lot of days when you can turn up and score a hundred but still not feel in control and have to fight very hard. Today I somehow felt right in control from the beginning and in that sense it was a pleasing knock becaause it was fluent and I hit the ball right from the middle of the bat. It's definitely one of my better hundreds.
On whether he was as much in control when he made 180 against Australia in 2001
In that innings [180 v Australia] I was definitely not in control throughout. Even in the last match I felt I was in good control till I reached 39, but then when I came back on the next day it just wasn't there.
In that innings [180 v Australia] I was definitely not in control throughout. Even in the last match I felt I was in good control till I reached 39, but then when I came back on the next day it just wasn't there.
On whether he was disappointed at getting out when he did
Yes, definitely. It's not nice to get out in the last over of the day. It's also disappointing because I think it's important for us to get about 100 runs more. It would have been good to string a partnership with the tail and push the score on.
Yes, definitely. It's not nice to get out in the last over of the day. It's also disappointing because I think it's important for us to get about 100 runs more. It would have been good to string a partnership with the tail and push the score on.
On playing at Eden Gardens
It's always nice to do well here. It's a place I've always done well at. I have very fond memories of the ground and if we can get a good result out of this game that will be great.
It's always nice to do well here. It's a place I've always done well at. I have very fond memories of the ground and if we can get a good result out of this game that will be great.
On whether there was a strategy to go for quick runs even if wickets fell
There was no specific strategy to score fast even when losing wickets. The pitch was good and the outfield is fast. We got a very good start from Sehwag and Gambhir and the rest of us just wanted to build on the momentum.
There was no specific strategy to score fast even when losing wickets. The pitch was good and the outfield is fast. We got a very good start from Sehwag and Gambhir and the rest of us just wanted to build on the momentum.
On whether there was a special plan to counter Kaneria
I have some thoughts and plans for virtually every player I come up against. You think about what shots to play, what areas you can score in, and what shots not to play. You've obviously done your homework and know what the strengths and weaknesses of each bowler are.
I have some thoughts and plans for virtually every player I come up against. You think about what shots to play, what areas you can score in, and what shots not to play. You've obviously done your homework and know what the strengths and weaknesses of each bowler are.
On the exchange between Tendulkar and Dravid, as Tendulkar neared 10,000 runs
There was a lot of noise and Sachin came to me and asked: "What's happening?" He knew basically that he was close to 10000, but not exactly how close. I think he was at 9998 at that stage, and I told him, `two more to go, but 15,000 is the real target'
There was a lot of noise and Sachin came to me and asked: "What's happening?" He knew basically that he was close to 10000, but not exactly how close. I think he was at 9998 at that stage, and I told him, `two more to go, but 15,000 is the real target'
On whether he had a timeframe to get to 10,000 runs
There's no timeframe. The next thing is to play the next innings and get off the mark.
There's no timeframe. The next thing is to play the next innings and get off the mark.
Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Cricinfo.