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Dravid thanks Patel for century

India's Rahul Dravid, who retired because of dehydration and cramps after scoring his fourth consecutive Test century on Thursday, thanked 17-year-old Parthiv Patel for nursing him to his hundred.

Dravid literally had to limp from 98 to 100 after he tucked West Indies paceman Mervyn Dillon to a vacant square leg, and he said encouragement from his batting parter helped him through.

"I don't think I could have completed that second run if it wasn't for Parthiv," Dravid, who had to take two bottles of intravenous fluids after his six-hour knock, told reporters.

"He really urged me on. I felt a little dehydration before tea but after that it became impossible to go on."

Wicketkeeper Patel, playing his third Test, scored 21 not out. The 29-year-old Dravid is only the fourth batsman in Test history to hit centuries in four consecutive innings.

He joins a select group comprising Australian Jack Fingleton, South African Alan Melville and West Indian Everton Weekes, who went on to get five.

"I'm thrilled at getting another century," Dravid said. "This is my best run in Test cricket and I hope it carries on."

He had scored 115 at Trent Bridge, 148 at Headingley and a career-best 217 at The Oval against England in his last three innings. This was Dravid's 14th Test century in his 65th match.

The India vice-captain said the going had been tough at the crease. "It's a slow wicket, the ball doesn't come on to the bat and you need a patient game. The heat doesn't help either."

"It was a lot of hard work for me as compared to someone like Virender Sehwag who just likes to blaze away."

Sehwag struck an explosive 147 on Wednesday to help India pile up 457 against the visiting West Indies by the close of the second day's play on Thursday.

West Indies were struggling on 33 for two in reply but Dravid said the match was far from over.

"The boys bowled really well today to take two wickets, but West Indies has some very capable batsmen. It's a little early to say, there are three days to go but we have the upper hand."

Dravid is unsure if he will take the field on Friday.

"I don't really know, I'll have to see how I'm feeling. But I want to get out there in the middle as quickly as possible."

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