Photographs: Reuters
He might be the most prolific Indian scorer in the ongoing Test series but senior batsman Rahul Dravid says it has not been easy as he has had to adjust to the most challenging tracks in his four visits to the West Indies throughout his career.
"The two tracks (in the series) have been the toughest I have played on in my four trips (to the Caribbean)," claimed Dravid ahead of the final Test starting in Roseau, Dominica.
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"From what I believe, this pitch too would have pace and bounce," he said.
Dravid is the leading scorer of the series from both sides, having made 212 runs from four innings at an average of 53.00.
'We have the team to win the third Test'
Image: Rahul DravidIndia, leading 1-0 in the three-Test series, face a litmus test to come out unscathed from the final game. Dravid has no doubt that will triumph in the final Test to claim the series.
"Everybody wants to finish on a good note. Having said so, we need five days of big performance. I believe we have the team to win the Test. The attitude within the squad is very positive," he said.
"We would have liked to win in Barbados. But losing 130 overs due to rain was disappointing. We were on a roll, from the second innings onwards," he said.
'Bowling has been very good'
Image: Rahul DravidIndia had set a target of 280 runs on the final day and West Indies were on the verge of losing at 202 for seven when rain and bad light allowed them to live another day.
"Bowling has been very good. Both the tracks were slightly tilted in favour of batsmen which is good.
"These wickets have had a lot of pace and bounce. But they have been good cricket wickets. They have been good advertisement for Test cricket," he said.
Dravid might have found these tracks merely challenging but it has been absolutely devastating for a few young batsmen, notably Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli, who have been miserable failures.
'These tracks have been hard on batsmen'
Image: Rahul Dravid"These tracks have been hard on batsmen. The quality of bowling has made it very challenging. Our batting hasn't fired but in the context of wickets and series, we haven't done too badly.
"It's not easy for young batsmen. These tracks probably have been the toughest they would come across in their careers. In that respect they would have learnt a lot and it would hold them in good stead," he said.
Dravid was all praise for Indian bowling, especially Ishant Sharma, and marveled at the way the slip cordon has performed in the series.
"Our bowling has been exceptional. Our slip catching has been top class. It's a great positive."
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