da poker： He is one of the select few with a Test batting average of over 50 butRahul Dravid insists that he is not a complete batsman
da esport bet： 30-May-2001He is one of the select few with a Test batting average of over 50 butRahul Dravid insists that he is not a complete batsman.In 43 Test matches, he has hit a double century and eight otherhundreds in scoring 3660 runs at an average of 53.82. In one-dayinternationals he averages 36.76 with seven hundreds.Yet, the Indian vice-captain said today he was far from perfect andwas constantly evaluating his performances and bringing changes in histechniques.”I know I am not a complete player. I know that for a fact. You keeplearning along the way. You learn every day. You try to grasp and maybe try to put a few of those things in your game,” Dravid said in aninterview to PTI in Mutare.And because, he was not a perfect batsman, Dravid said, he welcomedhealthy criticism.”I am willing to listen to the criticism, look at it. If I feel itworks for me, it makes sense for me, I would do something about it. IfI feel it doesn’t make any sense, and somebody is criticising just forthe sake of criticising, I can forget about it. I have the ability notto think about it,” he said.But Dravid, who is known to keep his cool under duress and who tries”to remain as controversy-free as possible” admitted that sometimesthings go beyond his control and he has reacted to criticism orsledging by opposition teams.”There have been moments (when I have lost my cool) but generally Ican keep things under control on a cricket field.”And though he did not mention it, the whole world saw his outburstafter completing his century against Australia in that memorable Testat Kolkata where he waved his bat in anger towards the press boxseeking to dispel their doubts over his ability to score at a briskpace.Slow scoring is a charge that has been associated with Dravid many atime, but the stylish Karnataka batsman countered this saying his paceof scoring really depended on the requirement of the team and his ownform.”Cricket is all about confidence and form. Batsmen in good form willtend to play a lot of shots. I think it (scoring at a slow pace) isjust an illusion. When I am out of form and not getting runs peoplemust have felt so. But it happens to any batsmen.”It also depends on the kind of role you are playing and the situationyou are in. When the situation calls for domination, I would like todo that but if it calls for staying in the middle, I must go for it.I have played a lot at the number three position. There your job is tohold your end and ensure that you don’t lose too many early wickets tothe new ball. Now that I am batting lower down the order, it may giveme a little more opportunity to play a bit more shots.”He did not agree with a suggestion that he would have been moreaggressive had he been playing for a side stronger than India. “Ipersonally feel we have got a good side. The fact that I play in thesame side as (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sourav) Ganguly and (VVS) Laxmangives me a lot of confidence. It takes a lot of pressure off me.Instead of being a deterrent, I think it (playing for India) hashelped me and inspired me to play better,” he said.Dravid said playing with a straight bat was one of his biggeststrengths and he was taught at a very young age to do so by none otherthan the great Gundappa Viswanath.”While playing in the Ranji Trophy, he (Viswanath) told me never touse my pads to play against spinners. All good players of spinactually use their bats. You would never see a Sachin Tendulkar usehis pads. Or Brian Lara.”The ability to concentrate for a long time was another of his strongpoints which again he learnt at a very young age. “I have enjoyedbeing at the wicket for long periods of time. This is something I havedeveloped over the years. I concentrate well and do not throw away mywicket when things are going good. If I get set I try to make it a bigone.”Dravid, who has an excellent record against Zimbabwe with threecenturies in as many Tests, had an explanation for India’s relativelypoor performance on foreign soil.”I think we find the conditions on and off the field not to ourliking. Maybe we don’t adjust to it. But then there are not many teamswho win abroad.”Dravid has taken some outstanding catches at forward short leg butsaid he was not a natural fielder at that position and had worked veryhard to improve.”Once I knew I would be fielding in that position for some time, Iworked at it, took a lot of catches and sort of improved as I wentalong. I have enjoyed fielding close-in. You tend to concentrateharder. Concentrating and being a part of the game for long periodsare my strengths.”On his duel with leg-spinner Shane Warne, Dravid said it had alwaysbeen very interesting and he enjoyed the see-saw battle with theAussie.”I have played 10 Tests against him. He has got me out a few times butI also have enjoyed success against him. I scored a lot of runsagainst him playing for Kent on a real turner of a wicket. It was verysatisfying.”Dravid denied he had been instrumental in getting John Wright, who washis coach at Kent, appointed as coach of the Indian team. “It was theBoard’s decision to go in for foreign coaches. They just asked me howit was like working with him (Wright) for six months. This was inNairobi (in October, 2000) when he had already been appointed. To sayI was instrumental in his appointment is a fallacy.”Perfect or not, Dravid is happy and satisfied with his performance andnot unaware of his worth in the team. “I have done quite well in the43 Test matches. I have got a very good record home and away and Ihave always done my best. I know in my heart that I have always givenmy best. I work very hard. I focus very hard. It is very satisfying toknow that I am giving my best to the team. And then my record at theend of the day…. I mean that is the most important thing.”
