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'I would have equaled Lara, but you can't plan that'
Darren Bravo achieved a personal milestone off the very first ball on the second day's play in the third and final Test between India and West Indies at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday.
When he hit Varun Aaron to the mid-off boundary, the 22-year-old completed 1,000 Test runs --- in only his 13th match. It took him 23 innings to reach the milestone, the same as compatriot Shivnarine Chanderpaul and India's Rahul Dravid, but two more than the man he is constantly compared with -- Brian Lara.
However, the shot did set the tone for another big innings. Bravo celebrated the feat with another boundary of the next ball, to the same area.
'I'm in pretty good form at this point in time'
The youngster went on to score a magnificent 166, his third Test hundred (all coming in his last seven innings) and his second in succession against India, following that superlative 136 in the West Indies' second innings at the Eden Gardens.
He refrained from comparing the two knocks though.
"I don't like to compare innings, but I think I am in pretty good form at this point in time and, hopefully, it can continue," said Bravo.
Had the 22-year-old scored one more run (167) he would have ended up with the same average the legendary Lara had at that stage of his career.
'It's a nice batting wicket'
When reminded about the same, Bravo confessed not being aware of the statistic.
"If I had scored one more run I would have equaled Lara, but I don't think you can plan and do that," he explained.
"I don't think it's something you can go there and try to achieve. It's something that happens on its own," he added.
He admitted that the placid nature of the wicket helped his cause to a great extent.
"I think the wicket played much better today. The ball was coming to the bat quite nicely," he explained.
"Yesterday there was a bit of moisture in the wicket, probably throughout, but, as I said, it is a decent batting wicket."
He added: "As long as you apply yourself and assess the conditions as quickly as possible, there are runs to get on that wicket. It's a nice batting wicket."
'We'll try our best to get India's top order in very early'
With the West Indies having posted a mammoth total, Bravo felt their bowlers have the ability to go out there and finish the job in the next three days.
"I think our fast bowlers can get something from this wicket as long as they bowl in the right areas.
"We have Ravi Rampaul and Fidel Edwards who can close in on 90 mph. So we are going to go out there with high energy, with a positive frame of mind, and try our best to get their top order in very early.
"I know it is going to take something special from our fast bowlers, but, at the same time, I believe we can go out there and get the job done."