Rahul Dravid rates West Indies Pitches as the toughest wickets he has ever played
Former India captain and the prolific top order batsman, on Tuesday conceded that it was quite challenging for him to adjust to the West Indies pitches in the ongoing Caribbean itinerary.
The iconic Indian batsman, who had been to the Caribbean thrice in his 15-year-old international cricketing career, told the media reporters that Kingston and Bridgetown tracks have been the most challenging wickets he had played on in his trips to West
Indies so far.
"The two tracks (in the series) have been the toughest I have played on in my four trips (to the Caribbean)," Dravid admitted ahead of the third and the final Test of the three-match series starting at the Windsor Park in Roseau on Wednesday. "From what
I believe, this pitch (Roseau) too would have pace and bounce," he added further.
Besides describing the tracks as challenging, Dravid was also all praise for the West Indies attack as he said, "The bowling has been very good”. The 38-year-old Madhya Pradesh batsman further added that the tracks had a lot of pace and bounce in them making
it quite difficult for the batsmen.
"These tracks have been hard on batsmen,” said the former India skipper. “The quality of bowling has made it very challenging. Our batting hasn't fired but in the context of the wickets and the series, we haven't done too badly,” he added further.
Dravid is the leading the series score chart with a tally of 212 runs from four innings. The prolific India batsman found the tracks as challenging but they have been quite devastating for the young batsmen, particularly Test debutants, Virat Kohli and Murali
Vijay.
Talking about the performance of rookie batsmen in the first two Tests of the series, the right handed batsman said that it was not easy for the young batsmen to play on such a tough. He, however, hoped the experience the youngsters have gained during the
ongoing tour would help them a lot in future.
"It's not easy for young batsmen,” said Dravid who has an experience of 152 Tests and 339 One Day Internationals under his belt. “These tracks probably have been the toughest they would come across in their careers. In that respect they would have learnt
a lot and it would hold them in good stead," he added.
Although Dravid found the wickets quite challenging, he called the tracks as good cricket wickets that have been good advertisement for Test cricket.
India is currently leading the series with 1-0 and must be eager to make this lead 2-0 when they play the hosts in the final Test at Roseau on Wednesday. Darren Sammy, on the other hand, would be eager to draw the series by winning the third Test.
Article sources:
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-05/top-stories/29738636_1_rahul-dravid-ongoing-test-series-west-indies
http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/cricket/India-vs-WestIndies-2011/Toughest-Windies-pitches-I-have-played-on-Dravid/cricketnews/SP-Article10-717758.aspx
http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/42529/toughest-wi-pitches-of-my-career-dravid
http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/175424-one-of-the-toughest-series-i-have-had-dravid-on-west-indies-tour
http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/28114.html
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=6340;type=series
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