 Tired bowlers prompted me not to enforce follow-on: Dravid
14th Aug 2007 07:55 IST
Agencies
The weariness of the Indian bowling attack prompted him not to enforce a follow-on despite a mammoth 319-run first innings lead in the third Test, a victorious captain Rahul Dravid revealed.
"I can understand disappointment of the people in their living rooms. But I have seen the bowlers from close quarters and could read their body language," Dravid said after the drawn encounter at The Oval on Monday.
"They had just bowled 90-odd overs and they were tired. Even I would have been disappointed with the decision not to impose follow-on had I been in the living room.
"I am aware of the public disappointment but at the end of the day I have to take my decisions and (facing criticism is) part and parcel of the captain's job in India."
The result meant India won the three-Test series 1-0, their first win in England in 21 years.
Following in the footsteps of Ajit Wadekar (1971) and Kapil Dev (1986), Dravid said he was proud to lead the team.
"We came here to win the series and at the end of the day that's what matters. It was a complete team effort and everyone, the players and the support staff, did their bit."
Anil Kumble was named Man of the Match, largely for his maiden Test ton, while James Anderson (England) and Zaheer Khan (India) were adjudged Man of the Series of either sides.
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