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This is an archive article published on January 5, 1999

quot;Best only if India win Testquot;

HAMILTON, Jan 4: A delighted Rahul Dravid, who struck a superb, career-best 190 to lift India against New Zealand in the third Test, said...

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HAMILTON, Jan 4: A delighted Rahul Dravid, who struck a superb, career-best 190 to lift India against New Zealand in the third Test, said he was determined to come good after failing in the second Test at Wellington where India lost by four wickets to go 0-1 down in the three-Test series.

8220;I was out playing a poor shot in Wellington. I made a little promise to myself that if I got stuck in and have a good look at the conditions, I am going to raise my hand and say I am going to bat through the innings,8221; Dravid said after guiding India to 416 and a 50-run first innings lead.

Dravid, 25, refused to rate his third Test century as his best until India had made use of it to square the series.

8220;If we win this Test match, there is no doubt it will be rated as my best hundred,8221; Dravid said.

He said his maiden Test century 148 against South Africa at The Wanderers will remain 8220;special8221; because of the kind of attack and the occasion.

Dravid was philosophical about not getting a double hundred: 8220;Iwas disappointed not to get my double hundred, but you have to enjoy what you get in life instead of lamenting about what you don8217;t,8221; he said. Dravid was pleased with Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad who gave him excellent support after India were reduced to 211 for seven. 8220;I am happy for Sri and Venky doing well with the bat. I always felt Sri had not done justice to his talent and it was good to seem him come back today,8221; he said.

The Karnataka batsman was inspired by the composure shown by Srinath at the other end. 8220;Whenever I was losing concentration, I just had to look at him and gather myself. I feel we are in with a chance in this Test,8221; he said.

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The New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming praised Dravid for an outstanding innings and said the Indian number three had come a long way since the two represented their respective countries in an under-19 series in India in 1992.

8220;I always thought he was a class player and obviously he has made the step up very easily. He is going to get a lot ofruns for India,8221; Fleming said. Fleming described Dravid as a 8220;complete player8221; with a 8220;taste8221; for attractive shots.

Fleming admitted New Zealand may pay for the four dropped catches after a classy Dravid century had given India an unlikely first-innings lead.8220;It has cost us pretty much,8221; said Fleming, one of the culprits on an ordinary day on the field.

 

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