Rahul Dravid reflected with pride on 'a long journey' after becoming the sixth batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs.
Indian becomes sixth batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs
Rahul Dravid reflected with pride on 'a long journey' after becoming the sixth batsman to reach 10,000 Test runs during the fourth day's play of the first Test against South Africa.
Dravid passed the milestone during his innings of 111, joining fellow Indians Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar along with West Indies' Brian Lara and Australian duo Allan Border and Steve Waugh in the exclusive club.
"It feels great, it feels special," he told
Sky Sports.
"It's been a long journey, 12 years, and it's nice to achieve these milestones, to tick them off."
Dravid and Virender Sehwag extended their second-wicket alliance to 268 on the fourth morning before
Sehwag departed for 319, the highest-ever score for India.
The partnership was the 72nd century stand of Dravid's 120-Test career, another record on a day to get the statisticians excited in Chennai.
"It is something I am very proud of, you don't set out to achieve things like that, but it's something that I'm really happy with," he added.
"It is also a reflection of the quality of players that I've played with during my career - Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly), (VVS) Laxman and Veeru (Sehwag), the quality of batsmanship around me is reflected in the fact that we've had the chance to put up these partnerships."
Incredible, exceptional
On Sehwag's innings, he commented: "Incredible, exceptional, only he can play like that, the creativity and range of shots - scoring 360 degrees all around the wicket - and the pace of scoring was incredible.
"That innings was special, just to be at the other end was like watching a highlights package."
India were eventually bowled out for 627 following a lower-order collapse, and South Africa then reached 131-1 in their second innings to move into a 44-run lead.
Dravid remains hopeful that a clatter of early wickets at the start of the final day could yet see India force a positive result.
"There is still the chance of a result," he said. "I'd rather be in our dressing room than theirs.
"The first session tomorrow will be crucial, if we can knock two or three over early then maybe we can put some pressure on.
"The wicket is still playing quite true so it will need a big effort from the bowlers."
