Please Do Not Compare Me with Legend like Gavaskar - Dravid


Daijiworld Media Network - Sports

Nottingham, Jul 31: Mr Dependable and the Wall of Indian Cricket Rahul Dravid doesn't want to be compared with  Sunil Gavaskar, though he might have equalled  Gavaskar's tally of Test hundreds.

With his 34th  test ton in the ongoing second test against England Rahul reached Sunil Gavaskar's three-figure numbers during his exceptional career.

"I wouldn't like to compare myself with Mr Gavaskar who is a legend of the game. I grew up as a kid trying to be either Mr Gavaskar or Vishwanath in my backyard. To now equal something he has done is fantastic," said the 38-year-old.

Dravid opened the innings due to injury to Gautam Gambhir and it was the third time from 20 innings when he has managed to score a century. Opening the innings, he conceded, is still not quite what he likes doing in Tests.

"As a middle order batsman, all my routines have been set. The 10-minute changeover period when I have to change and comeback, I find myself rushed. I remember at Lord's, I had to keep wickets, run up and down and felt really rushed," Dravid said.

"I was determined to ensure I did not get that feeling. I went in bit taking more time. At number three, there is some breathing space even if it is a little bit," he said.

Talking about the evenly poised match, Dravid rued that India had let slipped the chance to take control for the second day in succession.

"We had them 124 for eight yesterday and today we were 267 for four and we collapsed. In a tight game, on a tough wicket in a low-scoring game, these things are important. It's 50-50, even-stevens now," said Dravid after India could finish with only 67 runs in front after promising much more on the second day.

"We would like to chase as few a runs as possible. We got to bowl in right areas and restrict them as low as possible. Irrespective of what the number is, we should look to win this Test," he said.

Dravid said he had to face some critical moments during his 117-run knock when his right wrist was hit while he was on 30 by a short delivery.

"That hurt the right wrist, it spasmed for 5-6 overs. It was bit of a tricky period and for sometime I did not have much feeling in my right hand.

"Once we got through to lunch, it eased out. It is still paining but not much. Towards the end, I was cramping up as it was a hot day and I was on field for a long time," he revealed.

The right-handed batsman was out in an uncharacteristic manner when he threw his bat at a wide delivery from Tim Bresnan and was caught at third man.

"If Harbhajan was there, I would have played normally. I saw these guys (Broad and Swann) come in and (aggression) worked for them."

"Unfortunately, the first time I tried, it went straight to hands. I wanted to be positive and get 20-25 runs quickly. In a low-scoring game, these runs are important," Dravid said.

Asked about his temperament and focus, he said, "When in form, your judgment improves, confidence is there. I did play and miss a lot but I wanted to make it count, to have the fortitude and discipline to make it count.

"I try not to think, play one ball at a time. I try to play each and every ball with utmost concentration. I want to be fully present to play one ball at a time. I have been always calm at the crease," he said.

Dravid admitted that he did not have the full range of strokes that a Sachin Tendulkar or a Virender Sehwag can play and so he had to be more focussed to score runs.

"I recognised over a long period of time that I didn't have as many shots as say a Sehwag or a Tendulkar, and that I needed to concentrate that much," he said.

Dravid gave an insight on how playing Test cricket can be a draining experience.

"Everyone keeps saying the physical part but a Test is a big ask mentally, emotionally. You learn to balance emotions over a period of time. To do so, it's important how you spend your time after 7 pm, how to take your mind away from cricket.

(with input from agencies)

  

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Comment on this article

  • amitabh singh, bokaro/kolkata

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    u r d greater thn any other legend....u r great...salute u d grfeat hero of modern cricket....

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ram Shetty, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    Hey Dravid, all these guys over here are saying right, You are truly great coz you are playing for India, beside you all our Karnataka players use to play for India, but Sachin Tendulkar is playing for his own record and Sunil Gavaskar use to play for his own record they are same has SS & MMS.
    so keep up your good play

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  • HARISH SHETTY, MANGALORE DUBAI

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    Rahul dravid, u r right, we cannot compare u with Sachin and gavaskar, because for them Record is more value,of course we dont deny that they also played for the country, But u r really Wall man. Trentbridge inning was really amazing for u r concentration and determination. Everybody is talking in this series about sachin's 100th century ? what about India who will play always Dravid: ?irresponsible Dhoni as far as batting is concerned,bajji almost a burden at least in this series. In tulu we use to say batting sonne bowling .k..........

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaison D'silva, Belman

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    @ Mumbaikars,

    Mumbaikars only make politics in the cricket, they are not in favor of the country. ALSO REMEMBER HOW MUCH POLITICS THEY MADE DURING THE CAPTAINCY OF DRAVID.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Johnson, Barku/Bahrain

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    U don't want to compare with legend Gavaskar that's ur greatness,but you r a legend who played for the country & not for records.We salute you.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Jenifer Dsouza, Udupi

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    Dravid u are such a great batsman and real diamond for our Nation. It might b true that u dnt want to compare urself with Sachin and gavaskar, but we cannot admit that you are not among one of these legends.

    This series without u india would have been in very bad position and by this time we would have lost the 2nd test also, i dnt say ur the best, but not like the rest

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  • Alban D Souza, Udyavara Mumbai Doha Qatar

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    We wish Dravid to become captain again! The wall cannot be camparable he has his own style hence he is a distinguished cricketer for India ! Vishwanath, Gavaskar past legends ! Your are the modern legend. Congratulations once again.

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  • Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    THE WALL of Indian Cricke -RAHUL DRAVID.
    Rahul you are one of the very few distinguished cricket player who played for the team and for the Country. Not for records. You are great indeed. We salute you of your great achievement.

    I am sure, one day you will again become Indian Cricket Test Captain, as you deserve this and position.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ifthikar Ullal, Muscat / mangalore

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    The Great Wall of India..We never compare you with Sunil gavaskar he played only for his own records and not for match winning And you are exactly opposite of him.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Babu Rao, M'lore / M'bai

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    Mumbaikars play for their records . Dravid you earlier with Kumble always play for the team and country.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Louis D'Souza, Udupi/Kuwait

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    We will not? Mr. Dependable, The Great wall, because we know you are above him, Gavaskar played for records you played for our country.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Premavathi Jayaram, Mumbai

    Sun, Jul 31 2011

    Take care of your injury & Keep up the good work Dravid. The title speaks of your humbleness, God Bless!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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