<p>It was indeed a proud moment — the one that put him on a par with Sunil Gavaskar as the second highest century getter for India and also with West Indian legend Brian Lara’s record— for the 38-year-old but he was quickly ready to face the next ball after briefly acknowledging his appreciative team mates and the full-house at the venue. <br /><br />A job half-done<br /><br />India had taken the lead but Dravid knew it was only a job half done. It was as though he had the premonition of things to come as India blew another advantageous position in the match. M S Dhoni’s men lost six wickets for just 21 runs in the last session to be all out for 288 with Stuart Broad claiming five wickets, including a hat-trick, in 16 balls. With his partners deserting him fast, the veteran, in a selfless act, decided to get some quick runs and fell in the process. But if India still have their noses in front it’s because of a fighting century from the right-hander. This was his third century in five matches, including the one against the West Indies in Jamaica, a great turnaround in fortunes for someone who was low on self-confidence not too long ago. <br /><br />The odds were heavily stacked against Dravid on the day. He wasn’t batting in his usual number 3 spot and the conditions were tilted more towards bowlers. <br /><br />He suffered a blow on the right wrist early on in the innings and battled cramps towards the end of his innings. Yet the Bangalorean carried on gamely. It was a typical workmanlike Dravid innings, more sweat than swagger and hence more substance than style.<br /> </p>
<p>It was indeed a proud moment — the one that put him on a par with Sunil Gavaskar as the second highest century getter for India and also with West Indian legend Brian Lara’s record— for the 38-year-old but he was quickly ready to face the next ball after briefly acknowledging his appreciative team mates and the full-house at the venue. <br /><br />A job half-done<br /><br />India had taken the lead but Dravid knew it was only a job half done. It was as though he had the premonition of things to come as India blew another advantageous position in the match. M S Dhoni’s men lost six wickets for just 21 runs in the last session to be all out for 288 with Stuart Broad claiming five wickets, including a hat-trick, in 16 balls. With his partners deserting him fast, the veteran, in a selfless act, decided to get some quick runs and fell in the process. But if India still have their noses in front it’s because of a fighting century from the right-hander. This was his third century in five matches, including the one against the West Indies in Jamaica, a great turnaround in fortunes for someone who was low on self-confidence not too long ago. <br /><br />The odds were heavily stacked against Dravid on the day. He wasn’t batting in his usual number 3 spot and the conditions were tilted more towards bowlers. <br /><br />He suffered a blow on the right wrist early on in the innings and battled cramps towards the end of his innings. Yet the Bangalorean carried on gamely. It was a typical workmanlike Dravid innings, more sweat than swagger and hence more substance than style.<br /> </p>
