'We need similar pitches in domestic cricket' - Dravid
Rahul Dravid speaks to the media after losing the test series to Australia in Nagpur
Anand Vasu in Nagpur
26-Jul-2005
Rahul Dravid, as stand-in captain for Sourav Ganguly, presided over the loss that broke Australia's 35-year drought in India. He was understandably crestfallen, but took out time to speak to the press after the game:
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On the pitch
This wicket probably suited their squad more than it did ours. There's no doubt about that. But they also adapted much better to the conditions than we did. It was an interesting wicket to see in India. It'll be really nice to see these kinds of wickets in domestic cricket, under-19 cricket and other age-group cricket. The season is just starting in India and it will be interesting to see if groundsmen across the country take interest in preparing wickets like this - if they can do that consistently, in every single game in domestic cricket over the next two to three years. To have a wicket like this straightaway in a Test match ... It's a good wicket, and in the larger picture you hope as much care is taken in domestic cricket.
This wicket probably suited their squad more than it did ours. There's no doubt about that. But they also adapted much better to the conditions than we did. It was an interesting wicket to see in India. It'll be really nice to see these kinds of wickets in domestic cricket, under-19 cricket and other age-group cricket. The season is just starting in India and it will be interesting to see if groundsmen across the country take interest in preparing wickets like this - if they can do that consistently, in every single game in domestic cricket over the next two to three years. To have a wicket like this straightaway in a Test match ... It's a good wicket, and in the larger picture you hope as much care is taken in domestic cricket.
On what went wrong
I think we've been outplayed at Bangalore and Nagpur. We haven't batted as well as we would have liked. If you seen the tours where we've done well and had success it's generally been when we've been able to put good scores on the board. In this series our batsmen have not got the runs that were required and that's put a lot of pressure on us.
I think we've been outplayed at Bangalore and Nagpur. We haven't batted as well as we would have liked. If you seen the tours where we've done well and had success it's generally been when we've been able to put good scores on the board. In this series our batsmen have not got the runs that were required and that's put a lot of pressure on us.
On the difference between last winter's tour of Australia and now
The return of bowlers of the calibre of [Glenn] McGrath and [Shane] Warne has certainly made a difference. They've had quite a bit of experience in these conditions. A lot of players from their core group since 1996 have visited the subcontinent, and they have planned much better and this has made a difference.
The return of bowlers of the calibre of [Glenn] McGrath and [Shane] Warne has certainly made a difference. They've had quite a bit of experience in these conditions. A lot of players from their core group since 1996 have visited the subcontinent, and they have planned much better and this has made a difference.
On constantly altering the opening combination
Chopping and changing any squad of players doesn't really help. But at the end of the day you have to realise that squads only remain together if everybody performs. In an ideal situation you don't want to be chopping and changing squads. But when teams are not doing well and not successful it's only natural to tinker and make changes - it happens everywhere. It's up to people to make the most of opportunities when they get them because if they don't, naturally changes will take place.
Chopping and changing any squad of players doesn't really help. But at the end of the day you have to realise that squads only remain together if everybody performs. In an ideal situation you don't want to be chopping and changing squads. But when teams are not doing well and not successful it's only natural to tinker and make changes - it happens everywhere. It's up to people to make the most of opportunities when they get them because if they don't, naturally changes will take place.
On the collective batting failure
People go through these phases and unfortunately for us we've gone through one together. But credit to the Australians, they bowled really well and put us under pressure. I've always said that when you play against teams like Australia, you have to be at the top of your game. Otherwise they will make you pay. All the batsmen, me included, have not managed that in this series.
People go through these phases and unfortunately for us we've gone through one together. But credit to the Australians, they bowled really well and put us under pressure. I've always said that when you play against teams like Australia, you have to be at the top of your game. Otherwise they will make you pay. All the batsmen, me included, have not managed that in this series.
On the effect that this loss will have on the team
It's definitely disappointing to have lost. We hadn't lost a series at home since South Africa [won in 1999-2000]. But I think we have to look ahead and think about rebuilding and regrouping. Irrespective of what you might hear or what you might read there is good unity in this team. I can't fault the effort of some of the guys. We have some good things going in our squad and others that we need to get better at - which is pretty obvious.
It's definitely disappointing to have lost. We hadn't lost a series at home since South Africa [won in 1999-2000]. But I think we have to look ahead and think about rebuilding and regrouping. Irrespective of what you might hear or what you might read there is good unity in this team. I can't fault the effort of some of the guys. We have some good things going in our squad and others that we need to get better at - which is pretty obvious.
On what to learn from the Australians
One thing to learn from the Australians is how well they planned for this series. They ensured that their top players had a good amount of cricket in these conditions over the last seven-eight years. Some of the players are sent here to take part in domestic tournaments or visit MRF [the pace academy in Chennai]. These things make a difference.
One thing to learn from the Australians is how well they planned for this series. They ensured that their top players had a good amount of cricket in these conditions over the last seven-eight years. Some of the players are sent here to take part in domestic tournaments or visit MRF [the pace academy in Chennai]. These things make a difference.
On the positives to take out from the match
Zaheer Khan bowled really well in this match. Murali Kartik, who was making his comeback, also bowled very well. Some of the batsmen made fifties. That was another plus. Despite their good batting, the fight that we showed in the field was perhaps a positive, but it's difficult to list too many.
Zaheer Khan bowled really well in this match. Murali Kartik, who was making his comeback, also bowled very well. Some of the batsmen made fifties. That was another plus. Despite their good batting, the fight that we showed in the field was perhaps a positive, but it's difficult to list too many.
On whether the team was bogged down by repeated losses
When you don't do well it definitely puts a bit of pressure on you. We haven't had a lot of success since the start of this season but that's not a reason. The guys are professional enough to take things one match at a time and focus.
When you don't do well it definitely puts a bit of pressure on you. We haven't had a lot of success since the start of this season but that's not a reason. The guys are professional enough to take things one match at a time and focus.