'we Can't Take Anything For Granted In Australia' - Wall

December 21, 2011

[b][b]Rahul Dravid reflects on his recent good run in Tests and the upcoming challenge Team India faces Down Under[/b][/b]
[b]Just a month shy of his 39th birthday, Rahul Dravid is enjoying the best form of his life. The Karnataka right-hand batsman is the leading scorer in Test cricket this year, with 1067 runs in 11 matches @ 59.27, having hit five centuries and three fifties.[/b]
[b]During the recently-concluded Test series against the West Indies, he also became the second player, after Sachin Tendulkar, to cross the 13,000-run mark in Tests.[/b]
[b]He will again be the key man as India look to win their first Test series in Australia. After all, he played a crucial role as India registered a Test victory on each of their last two tours Down Under.[/b]
[b]Who can forget his sparkling innings of 233 that set up India's four-wicket victory at Adelaide in December 2003? That was India's first Test win in Australia in nearly 22 years. Sourav Ganguly, the captain then, summed up Dravid's contribution in one line: 'Rahul batted like god!'[/b]
[b]Then came the famous victory at Perth in January 2008. His fluent 93 in the first innings made a major difference as India won by 72 runs.[/b]
[b]As India look to go a step further and claim their first Test series win in Australia, the former India captain believes that, with the talent at the team's disposal, it is possible.[/b]
[b]Ahead of his departure for Australia, Dravid spoke with [b]Harish Kotian[/b] about his recent good run in Tests and what is needed to do succeed in a tough place like Australia.[/b]
[b][b]You are getting better with age. In the last series against the West Indies you became the first batsman to go past 1000 runs in 2011 and also became the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to go past 13000 runs in Test cricket. You must be delighted with your recent good run going into a tough tour like Australia?[/b][/b]
[b]Obviously, it's nice to go into any series with a bit of form. It is nice to be playing well, and it doesn't necessarily mean you will be scoring runs. I feel I am confident and hope I can prepare well and get into some good form early. If I get good form early and get some runs early in the tour, I am sure I can make it count.[/b]