Felt like I feathered the ball, says Dravid

The Indian batsman, opening the innings again after a superb unbeaten 146 in the first innings, was on 13 when onfield umpire Rod Tucker ruled him not out, after the Englishmen appealed for a catch at shortleg off Graeme Swann.

England went on appeal and third umpire Steve Davis felt enough evidence was there for Tucker to reverse his verdict even though the hot spot didn’t show any mark on the bat.

“I felt I had feathered the ball,” Dravid said at close of play on the fourth day.
Dravid’s third century of the series may once again end up in a losing cause and the batsman admitted that he had mixed feelings about his knocks this series which India have already lost 3-0 and are staring at a potential whitewash.

“There will be definitely a sense of satisfaction of the quality of my play,” said Dravid. “I am still hoping that we will be able to draw this Test match. I have not given up hope on that. Sachin is still batting there and he is looking good. Obviously when you score a hundred and you don’t end up winning a Test match, it doesn’t feel nice. I hadn’t experienced that too much in my career but this series I have experienced that as well. So I guess you are experiencing a new thing all the time,” he offered.

Dravid further dwelt on his unbeaten 146 on the day. “You do get a lot of satisfaction. What you do most recently obviously stays in your memory. Personally it’s been quite satisfying in terms of my batsmanship against what I think is a very good bowling attack; three fast bowlers and a spinner, good quality bowling attack. So for me it’s been very nice to play the way I have,” he pointed out.

Asked if anyone told him not to open again after carrying the bat in the first innings, Dravid said there was no debate on the issue. “Gautam (Gambhir) wasn’t still feeling great and I knew I was going to open. It (opening again) wasn’t that tough. I sort of felt that I was in the flow. Obviously it’s not an ideal situation but these are exceptional circumstances and can’t be helped. Mentally I was ready for it even when I was batting. It was at the back of my mind right through,” he remarked.