KOLKATA: It is common knowledge that Rahul Dravid is an erudite speaker who tackles every question from the ever-enthusiastic media personnel with panache. At the press conference after the opening day’s play against West Indies here on Monday, Dravid expressed his delight at the current phase in his career in his typical style.
“I’m enjoying my batting and going through a good phase and hope the purple patch lasts long. I’ve been through some good times and I know the importance of keeping it going. The effort would be to try to maintain this form,” said Dravid who has already amassed five Test centuries this calendar year.
The veteran batsman, however, said that the epic 376-run stand between him and VVS Laxman at the Eden Gardens in 2001 did not come to his mind when they were in the middle on Monday.
“It’s great to bat with Laxman, but the game against Australia did not come to my mind. It was a totally different situation that time around,” he said.
He said the hundreds in each innings against Pakistan here in 2005 was dear to his heart and his latest ton was comparatively easier to get.
He also credited coach Duncan Fletcher for the good form he has hit and said that Sachin Tendulkar was unfortunate to miss out on a big innings. On the low turnout at Eden Gardens, he averred that it is a problem that all other Test centres are facing everywhere.
“We used to look forward to play at Eden in front of a capacity crowd. It’s happening all over the country, and not just here in Kolkata. But this doesn’t mean that the popularity of Test cricket has diminished. I guess people are following it more on TV and other mediums (mobile, web),” he signed off.