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Dravid lauds team's showing

Source: PTI
April 06, 2006 20:08 IST
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India skipper Rahul Dravid attributed the string of victories in the one-day series against England to his players' ability to handle pressure situations confidently.

Speaking after India had taken an unassailable 4-0 lead in the seven-match series, by beating England by four wickets in the fourth One-Day International in Kochi on Thursday, Dravid said, "It is a great feeling; everyone played well. The team had been under pressure at times in the series, but we had people who pulled the team out.

"The important thing is that we had different people who put their hands up when we needed them to perform. I am proud of everyone in the squad."

Dravid said that the team would continue playing with the same spirit and enthusiasm they have shown thus far in the remaining three matches.

"We like to keep winning. This is an opportunity to develop the squad and it gives us the option of giving opportunities to few young boys and see how they go ahead."

He also justified the delay in taking the powerplay option, saying he wanted to wear down Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff and it proved successful strategy.

"Pietersen is playing well. But these are hot and humid conditions so I just held it (powerplay) back till they were tired.

"On this sort of wicket sometimes it can work in your favour. Even we lost three wickets during the powerplay. It is a new concept and the captains are getting a hang of it for better usage," he added.

England captain Andrew Flintoff felt that a score of 275 would have given them a chance.

"We played well in the first half. Pietersen was playing well but we lost wickets during the powerplay. A score of 275 would have been a good one," he said, adding that the failure of his batsmen to put up a big score cost them the series.

"It is important to put up a big total in India. We have not scored enough runs. Pitersen played well on a couple of occasions and I should have come to the party for a big total.

"We are 4-0 down, but we are trying to compete and we will continue to do that in the rest of the series as well."

Man of the match Yuvraj Singh, who took two wickets and scored 48 runs, said he always enjoys bowling on turning tracks.

"I try to bowl well where wickets help the spinners. Wickets in India suit me. I got the wicket of Flintoff and that put us into the match.

"We were under a little bit of pressure after losing the wickets, but me and Raina decided to stay in there and work out a partnership so that it became easier for others."

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