Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 286 Thu. March 17, 2005  
   
Sports


Displeased Dravid


Stylish Indian batsman Rahul Dravid was disappointed at losing his wicket after scoring a century in the second Test against Pakistan here on Wednesday, saying he wanted to build on the momentum.

"It's not nice to get out in the last over of the day," said Dravid, who scored an elegant 110 to help India reach 344-6 at stumps on the opening day at the Eden Gardens.

"It's disappointing because it was important for me to stay at the crease for the team's cause."

Dravid was caught by wicketkee-per Kamran Akmal off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in the last over of the day.

"I enjoyed the rhythm and was in total control during the innings. It would have been good to string a few partnerships with the tail-enders on the second day," said Dravid.

Dravid's 19th hundred in his 88th Test was upstaged by his more illustrious teammate Sachin Tendulkar, who became the fifth batsman to complete 10,000 Test runs.

"It's a great achievement and Tendulkar has joined an elite club," said Dravid, who has so far made 7,522 Test runs.

"There was a lot of noise coming from the stands and Tendulkar came to me and asked, 'what's happening' and I told him that you are just two runs away from 10,000 runs," said Dravid.

The Indian vice-captain described the Eden Gardens pitch as good to bat on.

"It's a very good pitch and the outfield is also very fast. It would definitely take spin at a later stage and I hope we get the desired result here," he said.