Dravid, Gambhir bask in centuries
Bishwajit Roy from Chittagong
The day belonged to two Indian century-makers Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir as the pair cashed in on a flat track at the MA Aziz Stadium to put the Bangladeshi bowling attack to the sword on the opening day of the second Test yesterday.Dravid (145 not out) and opener Gambhir, who scored his first Test century before falling for 139 featured in a second wicket stand worth 259 runs, which is the second-best partnership in Chittagong. The record however goes to South Africans Jacques Rudolph and Boeta Dippenaar.429. For 23-year-old Gambhir his effort was particularly satisfying. "Scoring a Test century is always something special. I'm really delighted with the hundred because I missed out just for four runs in Kanpur against South Africa," said the Delhi left-hander, who scored 139 off 196 deliveries. He also said that it was always enjoyable to play with a batsman like Rahul Dravid. "It was a great pleasure for me that I was accompanied by a batsman like Rahul. I was a little nervous in the 90s like any other new batsman in the world, but finally I overcame it," said Gambhir. On the other hand, Dravid praised the wicket however he was not ready to blame the local bowlers. "I think they (bowlers) initially bowled very well and worked very hard the entire day but it was difficult to earn success from this kind of track which was absolutely suited the batsmen," he explained. "I believe it is very difficult to get out a batsman if he concentrates during his innings. Initially, I wanted to settle down in the middle and later it got very easy for me to bat on this surface," he added. The 31-year-old Indian vice-captain, who completed his 18th Test hundred, said that he was not thinking about a double century but rather wanted to bat for the team. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow. We always try to bat according to the situation," Dravid said. Replying to a question, Dravid said that he was delighted with the fact that his name was included in the list which featured illustrious names like Steve Waugh and Sachin Tendulkar. "It is always fantastic to see my name with the big guns. You know I'm a great fan of Steve Waugh," the stylish right-hander informed. Dravid was the fourth batsman to score a century against all Test-playing nations after Waugh, Gary Kirsten and Tendulkar.
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