Kolkata, Nov 15 (IANS): They have been partners in two 300-plus stands against formidable Australian teams, and are playing Test cricket together for years. Rahul Dravid feels things become easier for him when he pairs up with V.V.S. Laxman in the middle as the strokeful Hyderabadi puts pressure on the bowlers.
On day one of the second cricket Test against West Indies at the Eden Gardens Monday, the duo stitched together a 140-run stand in 137 minutes which set India up for a big total.
"The idea was to try and build a long partnership (with Laxman) and score lots of runs. It is always nice to bat with VVS," Dravid told mediapersons after the day's play.
Dravid struck a classy 119 before departing in the penultimate over. Laxman was unbeaten on 73. India were 346/5 at draw of stumps.
In 2001, playing against Australia at the same ground, the duo had stitched together 376 runs for the fifth wicket in the second innings with Laxman scoring 281 and Dravid 180. Riding on their partnership, India had staged a fairytale rally after being made to follow on and won the epic game.
Two years later, they were involved in a 303 run partnership for the fifth wicket in Adelaide.
Dravid said the secret of their chemistry lay in the long time that they have spent together in the Indian team.
"Actually, we are batting with each other for so long... We really don't need to say much to each other... We don't talk a lot in the middle... We just say 'keep going' or 'just relax'...."
"He (Laxman) is a stroke player and looks to put pressure on the bowler... in a different sort of way... not the way Viru (Virender Sehwag) does... So it makes things easier for me at the other end."
Dravid said with Laxman, he can play at his own pace and rotate the strike.
"Today I think we batted well together and scored at the same pace as well," he added.
He also praised openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir saying they make things easier for the middle order by giving good starts at a rapid pace.
"Definitely, that helps... If you got an opening partnership like Viru and Gambhir, then it makes things a big difference... They are terrific openers."
"It's great to bat at No.3... More often than not, they give us good starts... They score at such a rapid pace initially that it makes a lot easier for us in the middle order to come in and play as they have put the opposition in the back foot already," he added.