Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Nothing left to be proved: Dravid

Last updated on: July 24, 2011 08:31 IST
Rahul Dravid celebrates after completing his century at Lord's

Rahul Dravid, who notched his 33rd Test ton and became the second most prolific run getter in history, said he has nothing more left to be proved in his long and illustrious career except the desire to contribute to the team's cause.

-Scorecard

"I don't have anything left to be proved. I am happy that I am still good enough to play for my country and contribute for the team's cause," said 38-year-old, when asked if his unbeaten 103 against England meant that age has nothing to do with a class player like him.

He said records are just numbers and the result of playing for long, and he is happy to have contributed to India's rise in world cricket.

"I had 33 Test tons and lots of runs under my belt but I have played for more then 15 years. Any cricketer who played that long would have got as many centuries and the runs I have," a modest Dravid said, after the third day's play in the first Test between India and England at Lord's.

'I was not thinking of my hundred'

Last updated on: July 24, 2011 08:31 IST
Rahul Dravid celebrates afte scoring his century at Lord's

"These are just numbers and what is important to me is that I was able to play 150-odd Tests for the country and contribute to the Indian team's rise," he added.

Dravid, who saved India from the ignominy of following-on, said he was not thinking of scoring his hundred till the fag end of India's innings.

"I was not thinking much of my hundred. My focus was to reach the 275 and save from following-on. So I told the tailenders, including Zaheer Khan, to stick around. After we crossed the 275, at that time I thought I could go for my hundred," he said.

"I missed a hundred here in my debut Test by five runs. So every time I play here I thought I would score a hundred but it would not have been the end of the world had I not scored a ton here. I feel very happy that I have scored my hundred at the Lord's," said Dravid.

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.