The Hindu : Sport : A proud moment, says Dravid

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Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007
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Sport

A proud moment, says Dravid

S. Ram Mahesh

‘We played better in crucial moments’

London: Rahul Dravid, who became only the third Indian captain to win a series in England, said it was a “proud” moment, brought about by a wholesome team effort.

“We are very proud for the whole team for what they have achieved,” he said here at The Oval. “It does not happen all the time, as in all the three visits, it is only the first time we have managed to pull off a series win. I could not be more proud as a captain to lead a fine team.”

Both Dravid and Michael Vaughan, the England captain, agreed that the result — 1-0 — was a fair indication of the series.

“England dominated the first Test and we dominated the next two, and we played better in crucial moments,” said Dravid.

“It gives us a lot of satisfaction. This is a very special moment for us. We have not done a bit well away from home and then come here and do well against England where they have been traditionally strong, yes definitely it is right up there in my achievements.”

Vaughan said, “Lord’s — there’s not much you can do. Obviously the weather didn’t help.

In the last two games, India have put us under a lot of pressure. Usually in a three-match series, the team that plays the best cricket comes out on top and India have picked up the way they’ve played in the last two games.”

The bowlers of both sides came in for praise: little wonder that India’s Man of the Series, as decided by the England coach, was Zaheer Khan, and England’s, decided by India’s coaching staff, was James Anderson.

Bowlers praised

The batsmen’s runs were worth more in bowler-friendly conditions. “The batsmen have really come through at critical moments,” said Dravid.

“The contributions have been all around the board and that is what pleases me a lot. We will remember this for a long time.”

Dravid’s decision not to enforce the follow-on has been a bit of a talking point, and he explained his reasoning.

“Everyone has his own opinion about what is wise and what is not wise,” said Dravid. “But as the captain of the team I know my players quite well.

“May be if I was sitting in a living room or drawing room I might have said the same thing, you know as a captain I get the pulse of what is happening in the team, the feeling of the team and the mood of the boys in terms of how much I can push them, what is the right thing to do what is not the right thing to do and I have to back my judgment, that is what I earn my corn for.

“At that time I felt that pushing my boys through that kind of workload is not the right thing to do, give them a bit of rest and then comeback fresh in the fourth innings and that is what they did today and they gave a great performance.”

Vaughan agreed, “I would have done exactly the same in a similar position.”

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