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Home  » Sports » Dravid expecting England backlash

Dravid expecting England backlash

Source: PTI
Last updated on: March 16, 2006 17:24 IST
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Captain Rahul Dravid is hoping his 100th Test will produce entertaining cricket and bring India success.

Dravid will become the sixth Indian to reach the milestone when he leads the side in the third cricket Test against England in Mumbai on Saturday.

"I did not think I will play in 100 Tests when I started," the 33-year old Karnataka player said.

"It has been an eventful journey. I am grateful for being able to play for India, and grateful to my teammates, family and so many people without whom this journey would not have been possible."

Dravid, who led India to a pride-salvaging win in the final Test against Australia in Mumbai in 2004, said the Wankhede stadium pitch has often produced results and it should be no different this time.

"Spinners dominated the last two Tests. But, overall, it had been a good, result-oriented wicket. Hopefully, it will produce five days of entertaining cricket," Dravid told NDT.

India were on the backfoot in the drawn first Test at Nagpur and in the early phase of the second Test at Mohali before going on to win by nine-wickets.

The skipper attributed India's turnaround to the bowlers' improved performance and favourable conditions at Mohali.

"We bowled well in Mohali. Our bowlers bowled in the right areas, and the pitch had a bit more bounce which helped our spinners," Dravid said.

"And by restricting England to 300 and 181, we controlled the game throughout."

Dravid said the team needed to play well irrespective of the nature of the track at the Wankhede to win the series.

"It is important to play good cricket. Hopefully, it is a good wicket and we can get the right result.

"We must expect England to come back strongly and must be focussed on our game."

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