JOIN USIt was a typically methodical compilation from one of India’s most prolific batsmen, an innings that has all but secured Karnataka’s berth in the showpiece final next week.
“After having won the toss, it was important to put up a big total on the board,” Dravid said on Monday evening, looking every bit knackered as a batsman who has spent 500 minutes in the middle would. “We got stuck in yesterday, but I am happy to make it count today.”
Dravid’s Ranji record is impressive, to say the least. In 48 matches, he has made more than 4875 runs at 81.25, extraordinary figures especially given that his domestic appearances have become increasingly sporadic in recent times.
He has batted in more demanding conditions against attacks far more incisive than this UP one, but Dravid admitted that it wasn’t easy out in the middle on a low, slow Chinnaswamy stadium strip.
“Definitely, scoring wasn't easy,” he acknowledged. “The ball was keeping low and there was not much pace off the wicket. Manish batted brilliantly yesterday to set up the tempo and a couple of guys up front too contributed well. The idea was to tire the bowlers out. Personally, I am quite satisfied with my innings. It was quite warm out in the middle. Whenever I decided to step up the pace, somebody got out at the other end, so I had to stay there and build another partnership.”
Dravid said things had gone perfectly to plan on day two. “The basic idea was to bowl seven-eight overs at them. The last thing one wants to do after a long, tiring day on the field is to bat for that short period. Being a number three myself, I know that can be quite frustrating.
“There are quite a few rough areas on the wicket. Joe (Sunil Joshi) is going to be quite useful, we are looking up to the pacers as well,” Dravid remarked. “But I think Joe will get good purchase on this wicket.”