The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Wadekar hails Dravid's leadership

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Wadekar hails Dravid's leadership

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: "A victory is a victory, whatever may be the opposition. I thought Rahul and India were running out of luck in the first three Tests. There's no denying the fact that Rahul led by example, from the front and thoroughly deserved the man of the match and the series award. He sealed his stamp of class and leadership right through the series,'' said Ajit Wadekar, who led India to a famous first series win in the West Indies in 1971.

The most important of Rahul's leadership was the way he handled his bowlers, the seam attack in particular, said Wadekar in the course of a chat with The Hindu.

"I am impressed with Munaf Patel and Sreesanth. Evidently, Munaf appears raw, but proved to be quick in learning the ropes. He's the fastest among the Indian pace combination there. Sreesanth, I have noticed uses his head, bowls to a good line and length and moves the ball. That's his hallmark".

Durrani's kudos

Salim Durrani, who starred in India's win in the Port of Spain Test in 1971, said: "It's heartening that India has a captain of Rahul Dravid's calibre after a long time. He is cool and never tries to steal the thunder from others. He's a natural. He batted exceptionally. It's a fine victory and the youngsters should be all the more happy.

"I expected the spinners to do the job and Anil Kumble has done it. I think Anil should be there in the one-day team also. India missed him in the one-day series. The young seamers Munaf and Sreesanth also bowled well,'' said Durrani.

Our Principal Correspondent adds from Bangalore:

India's win revived fond memories for E.A.S. Prasanna.

The legendary off-spinner was a key member of Ajit Wadekar's team. "It refreshed my memory of the 71 series. I remember that the West Indies had then a strong batting line-up with the likes of Garry Sobers and Rohan Kanhai. We did well against them but it is unfair to compare teams across eras. I am happy with what our boys did now in 2006 but to be honest, they could have won 3-0," Prasanna said.

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