Playing the waiting game initially and then flourishing to remain unbeaten on 177 against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Ahmedabad, Rahul Dravid called his knock on Monday as one of his best innings in recent times. Studded with 26 boundaries and a straight six off Rangana Herath, Dravid helped India recover from 32 for 4 to 385 for 6 at the end of the first day."I have been playing fluently in all forms of the game. It's one of my most assured efforts in the last two-three years. My feet were moving well and I felt I was in control," Dravid said.
After stumbling initially with the loss of four quick wickets, Dravid said his partnership with Yuvraj Singh (68) helped restrict the bleeding. "When we were 32 for four, the collapse against South Africa for 76 was at the back of our minds. But we knew it was just a question of having some partnerships going, and to hang in there till lunch. That's just what we did," the former India skipper said.
On the attack
While the 125-run stand with Yuvraj was damage control, Dravid and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (110) went on the attack during their 224-run partnership, propelling India towards their highest opening-day score. The total at stumps was just one run short of India's single-day record of 386 runs, piled up against South Africa in the 2007-08 season. While the records tumbled, Dhoni notched up his second Test century.
"The partnership with Yuvraj steadied the innings in the first session, we consolidated in the second and then with Mahi, the partnership set up the big score. Both are attacking players and we knew if they can bat for 150-160 balls then 100 runs would be scored."
Dravid felt that the wicket was a bit sticky initially and the visitors utilised it well. "There was some movement. The Lankans bowled well," he said, adding: "It was a good toss to win even though we lost four quick wickets. It became a very good strip to bat on after an hour and a half."
The Karnataka captain credited his stint in the Ranji Trophy in giving him the required impetus to go into this match with confidence. "Time in the middle always helps. I had a couple of games against UP and Delhi and was pretty confident going into this match," he said.
Having climbed above former Australian skipper Steve Waugh in the all-time run getters list, Dravid is not resting on his laurels. "We have to score 500-plus runs. The wicket looks as if it will not do much till the fourth day. Then it should help our spinners and our fast bowlers to reverse the ball."
source: http://cricket.yahoo.com
