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  •   Tue, Aug 14 2007 01:08:15 PM

PTI

London, Aug 14: The weariness of the Indian bowling attack prompted him not to enforce a follow-on despite a mammoth 319-run first innings lead in the third Test, a victorious captain Rahul Dravid revealed on Monday.

"I can understand disappointment of the people in their living rooms. But I have seen the bowlers from close quarters and could read their body language," Dravid said after the drawn encounter at The Oval on Monday. "They had just bowled 90-odd overs and they were tired. Even I would have been disappointed with the decision not to impose follow-on had I been in the living room.

"I am aware of the public disappointment but at the end of the day I have to take my decisions and (facing criticism is) part and parcel of the captain's job in India." The result meant India won the three-Test series 1-0, their first win in England in 21 years.

Following in the footsteps of Ajit Wadekar (1971) and Kapil Dev (1986), Dravid said he was proud to lead the team. "We came here to win the series and at the end of the day that's what matters. It was a complete team effort and everyone, the players and the support staff, did their bit."

Anil Kumble was named Man of the Match, largely for his maiden Test ton, while James Anderson (England) and Zaheer Khan (India) were adjudged Man of the Series of either sides. England captain Michael Vaughan said he was happy with the performance of his inexperienced pace attack but admitted India played better cricket.

"We played good cricket at Lord's and I'm very proud the way my young bowlers played in the series. But India was just the better team," he said. "Both their left-arm bowlers (Zaheer Khan and RP Singh) bowled well and produced angles that made life difficult for us. Full credit to India," Vaughan said.

For Anil Kumble, it was a special occasion after the leggie won the man of the match award and it was not for his bowling. "I did not really expect to win the award because of my batting. So it's of course a special feeling. I enjoyed my batting," he said.

Kumble confirmed having played his last Test on British soil and said, "I'll go back with fond memories. We have won a series after 21 years and we deserved it. It would be wonderful to go home victorious."
  

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Comment on this article

  • Ignatius, Mumbai/Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 18 2007

    Though many have expressed their views and criticized Dravid for not enforcing follow-on, I still support this guy. India have always been chockers when they are faced with small targets. Dravid was right when he said that his bowlers were tired. Zaheer was not making any fashion statement with his strapping on his thighs while Sreeshanth was having a sore ankle.

    So in the course of bowling again if either of them or even both had broken down, then there was a good chance for England batsmen led by brilliant and attacking Kevin Pieterson to post a huge total after surpassing the deficit of 319. So any lead between 200 to 250 (which they might have set) would have been very tricky. If India did not go to pursue it, they would have been criticized and if they had gone to attain it and in the course missed it, then the situation would have still worse. India was not sitting pretty with 11/3.

     It was here that Ganguly opened up runs with his beautiful off-side play and on the other hand Dravid pummelled the English bowlers with his Wall-like batting. One more wicket on the point would have spelt doom to the team.

    As Dravid put it later, it is quite easy to put things sitting in front the TV or even in the living rooms. But only the players who play know as what they go through. Putting oneself in Dravid's or even team's shoes would solve many problems we have.

    Let us not forget that the Team was without the coach and they had to bank on their field experience to take decisions. One can be sure that it was a team's decision and not any individual. Agreed that there was a chance for India to clinch the series 2-0. But let us also agree that India had the chance to lose it had it to bat on the 5th day. Had it taken place we would have lost a golden opportunity to seal series win in England after 21 years.

    Senior players who have criticized the decision by Dravid have the right to say. But if they were part of this team which on the threshold of creating history, they would have shunned from these comments.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Kevin Lobo, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 17 2007

    Dravid has proved himself as a coward by not enforcing follow on. Tired Bowlers prompted him not to enforce follow on is just an excuse. Infact he didnt want India to win 2-0. If India had won the third test then it would have been a fitting reply to Englishmen for their sledging, jelly beans and all other sorts of nonsense on the field.

    Rain saved us from defeat in the first test and Dravid saved England from losing in the third test. So hisaab barabar. Anyways congrats to all performers. Hope you will continue the same especially Karthik, Zaheer, R.P. Singh, Sreeshant. Hope this young brigade bring back the glory of 1983.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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