When I decide to bat, I
bat hard: Dravid

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

India vice-captain Rahul Dravid hit out at his critics, saying his showing on the fourth day of the second Test against Australia should silence those who questioned his consistency in the five-day game.

Speaking at the post match news conference, after play on the fourth day, a visibly emotional Dravid rubbished media reports which said the Indian team lacks fighting skills.

The Karnataka batsman, who was unbeaten on 155 at the end Day 4 and involved in a record partnership with VVS Laxman, described himself as a player with "a lot of determination".

"That's the kind of player I am. I was not able to convert small scores into big ones in my last three innings, which prompted a section of the media to criticise my batting ability. But what many failed to understand was that I take some time before settling with my batting. And when I decide to bat, I bat hard.

"Moreover, there were occasions when I had to bat in positions I was not at all used to," Dravid said.

He informed that many players in the dressing room were perturbed over "discouraging" media reports which questioned India's fighting skills, especially in the wake of the dismal performance in the Bombay Test and the first innings of the second Test at the Eden Gardens.

He said: "Many in the media felt that we never fought hard. But none cared to ponder over the fact that we were up against arguably the best Test side in world cricket. Such criticism hurt many guys in the dressing room. But, thankfully, we performed well in the second innings here [Calcutta], which will put to rest all such apprehensions."

Clearly, Dravid was irked over not being sent in to bat at the position he wanted to, though he did not want to show his displeasure. He, however, clarified that he has no qualms about Laxman being promoted to number three, ahead of him.

"He [Laxman] played a fantastic knock. The last time I had seen him play against Australia with similar determination was in Sydney, when he scored an impressive 167. His knock of 275 at Eden today [Wednesday] had a lot of character and guts. Truth to tell, it also helped me immensely in lifting my morale. It also put pressure on the Aussie bowlers," he remarked.

Asked to comment on reports of him being promoted to open the Indian innings in future, Dravid shot back in a choked voice: "I have batted at various numbers including number three and six besides carrying drinks for the team. I always do what the team management ask me to do. If tomorrow Sourav [Ganguly] and John [Wright] think I am best suited to carry the drinks bottle, I wouldn't hesitate even doing that."

Match report - Day 4
Statistical Highlights of day 4
Adam Gilchrist in Real Audio:Day 4

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