'We're still trying to improve,' says Dravid
Rahul Dravid has been in fine form all series
Anand Vasu in Lahore
23-Mar-2004
Rahul Dravid has been in fine form all series. Shutting out one end or pushing for runs, Dravid has shown the ability to change gear and control the tempo of the game. On the eve of the final match, he was relaxed and composed, and looked forward to yet another thriller. Yousuf Youhana and both coaches also faced the press:
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Rahul Dravid
On losing in tournament finals
The fact is that we lost to Australia in these encounters. They are the best in the world, but we are proud that we made it to finals so many times. We are trying to improve - in the last match here on Sunday, we bowled well and I am confident that we will improve further.
The fact is that we lost to Australia in these encounters. They are the best in the world, but we are proud that we made it to finals so many times. We are trying to improve - in the last match here on Sunday, we bowled well and I am confident that we will improve further.
On the fact that the last match is a virtual final
We want to win, though I will not call it a final. It is a last match of the five-match series, and because we are level at 2-2 it becomes important.
We want to win, though I will not call it a final. It is a last match of the five-match series, and because we are level at 2-2 it becomes important.
On whether the Indians were focussing on Pakistan's strengths or weaknesses
Well, we are not focusing on what they are doing. We are focussing on our weak and strong points. Our bowlers bowled well in the first 15 overs in the last match, but we gave away too many runs in the last ten overs. This is the area of concern and we are trying to improve upon it.
Well, we are not focusing on what they are doing. We are focussing on our weak and strong points. Our bowlers bowled well in the first 15 overs in the last match, but we gave away too many runs in the last ten overs. This is the area of concern and we are trying to improve upon it.
On the importance of the toss
If we don't win the toss, it is not going to make much difference. I did not notice much dew when we were batting second on Sunday. Dew here is less than what we have seen and played under in places like Chandigarh and Cuttack. In Cuttack the ball had turned into soap, that is not the case here.
If we don't win the toss, it is not going to make much difference. I did not notice much dew when we were batting second on Sunday. Dew here is less than what we have seen and played under in places like Chandigarh and Cuttack. In Cuttack the ball had turned into soap, that is not the case here.
On Tendulkar's non-performance in finals
It is not a question of one individual. We all have not done well [at times]. We play so much one-day cricket nowadays that not getting runs in two or three matches is not surprising. Sachin, being a high-profile player, gets more attention - but others also fail.
It is not a question of one individual. We all have not done well [at times]. We play so much one-day cricket nowadays that not getting runs in two or three matches is not surprising. Sachin, being a high-profile player, gets more attention - but others also fail.
On Pakistan's bowlers
They come hard at us but we are not complaining. They have conceded a large number of extras. More extras help us, and I hope they will continue giving them to us!
They come hard at us but we are not complaining. They have conceded a large number of extras. More extras help us, and I hope they will continue giving them to us!
On whether India missed Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh
We do miss bowlers of the experience of Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan and to some extent Srinath [retired]. Their absence pushes us back, but that is no excuse. In international cricket you have to take such things in your stride.
We do miss bowlers of the experience of Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan and to some extent Srinath [retired]. Their absence pushes us back, but that is no excuse. In international cricket you have to take such things in your stride.
On why Zaheer Khan was being used as first-change
Zaheer is a good bowler and has done well as a third bowler, but why we are using him as third bowler is a matter of tactics and strategy, which I cannot explain. This may not be a satisfactory answer, but it is like that.
Zaheer is a good bowler and has done well as a third bowler, but why we are using him as third bowler is a matter of tactics and strategy, which I cannot explain. This may not be a satisfactory answer, but it is like that.
On whether India are overwhelming favourites
Definitely not. We never thought we were favourites, leave aside overwhelming favourites. We have no illusions about ourselves. We know our strengths and weaknesses.
Definitely not. We never thought we were favourites, leave aside overwhelming favourites. We have no illusions about ourselves. We know our strengths and weaknesses.
On the wider importance of this game and this series
From the players' point of view it is only the game. We go to play and win. This is our objective and we are focussed. We are not carrying any baggage. We will try to win the series.
From the players' point of view it is only the game. We go to play and win. This is our objective and we are focussed. We are not carrying any baggage. We will try to win the series.
Pakistan's vice-captain Yousuf Youhana
On whether there would be a change in the bowling attack
I don't think we will make any change. They [the seamers] have done their job well, though wides and no-balls remain the area of concern. I am sure they will get over this problem. We are not missing Saqlain [Mushtaq], in the sense that Shoaib Malik is bowling well and besides that is also a good fielder and a useful batsman. I see no point in making a change for the sake of change.
I don't think we will make any change. They [the seamers] have done their job well, though wides and no-balls remain the area of concern. I am sure they will get over this problem. We are not missing Saqlain [Mushtaq], in the sense that Shoaib Malik is bowling well and besides that is also a good fielder and a useful batsman. I see no point in making a change for the sake of change.
On whether there was extra pressure because Shahid Afridi had not delivered
I don't think so, because in Rawalpindi he [Afridi] made things easy for the team and me. He is a batsman who can change the complexion of the game in few overs.
I don't think so, because in Rawalpindi he [Afridi] made things easy for the team and me. He is a batsman who can change the complexion of the game in few overs.
On Shoaib Akhtar's fitness
He is fit. There is no problem with him. He is a matchwinner and I am confident he will deliver tomorrow.
He is fit. There is no problem with him. He is a matchwinner and I am confident he will deliver tomorrow.
Pakistan's coach Javed Miandad
On Sunil Gavaskar's comment that the Indians were chokers
I hope they continue that way [laughs]. We never underestimate the opposition. Let us see what happens tomorrow.
I hope they continue that way [laughs]. We never underestimate the opposition. Let us see what happens tomorrow.
On the Pakistan batting
I never expected my team to do so well in batting. India have been playing well and put up a commendable show in Australia recently.
I never expected my team to do so well in batting. India have been playing well and put up a commendable show in Australia recently.
On the series
I have played long enough and seen matches all over the world, but I can say with authority that never before has such a series been played. So far it has been good and positive cricket, but tomorrow is a crucial game and I am sure the boys know the importance of the game. Everybody is looking forward to this match.
I have played long enough and seen matches all over the world, but I can say with authority that never before has such a series been played. So far it has been good and positive cricket, but tomorrow is a crucial game and I am sure the boys know the importance of the game. Everybody is looking forward to this match.
On the fact that Pakistan's bowlers have gone for runs in this series
The Pakistani fast bowlers are the best in the world. The series is not over yet and we have a long way to go. So it is too early to predict about the series or comment on the bowlers.
The Pakistani fast bowlers are the best in the world. The series is not over yet and we have a long way to go. So it is too early to predict about the series or comment on the bowlers.
On the big scores in this series
This is now the trend all over. The wickets tend to help batsmen. The Indians played on different wickets in New Zealand, which were criticised all over, and even New Zealand admitted that those pitches were not up to standard. There are no such tracks here. The runs have been scored and chased. It has been a thrilling and entertaining cricket, though I admit that bowlers have suffered.
This is now the trend all over. The wickets tend to help batsmen. The Indians played on different wickets in New Zealand, which were criticised all over, and even New Zealand admitted that those pitches were not up to standard. There are no such tracks here. The runs have been scored and chased. It has been a thrilling and entertaining cricket, though I admit that bowlers have suffered.
India's coach John Wright
On the importance of this series
Winning a series in Pakistan will be a big achievement for India, because India has never won a series in Pakistan.
Winning a series in Pakistan will be a big achievement for India, because India has never won a series in Pakistan.
On the extra pressure of playing against Pakistan
It is not an ordinary series, and also playing in Pakistan puts a lot of pressure on the players, but so far they have withstood the pressure well.
It is not an ordinary series, and also playing in Pakistan puts a lot of pressure on the players, but so far they have withstood the pressure well.
On India's fast bowlers
Of course, there are various opinions that India has a tradition of producing world-class spinners, but no-one can say the same about fast bowlers. I think that this impression has to change, and the young fast bowlers have to change this thought-process. I am sure the Board of Control for Cricket in India will take a note of this.
Of course, there are various opinions that India has a tradition of producing world-class spinners, but no-one can say the same about fast bowlers. I think that this impression has to change, and the young fast bowlers have to change this thought-process. I am sure the Board of Control for Cricket in India will take a note of this.
On what he expected from his team
I can tolerate lack of performance but I will not tolerate lack of effort. I have no time for people who fail to prepare for an innings, and also do not have the energy to sustain a fightback. I have great difficulty with short-cuts and cannot compromise on effort.
I can tolerate lack of performance but I will not tolerate lack of effort. I have no time for people who fail to prepare for an innings, and also do not have the energy to sustain a fightback. I have great difficulty with short-cuts and cannot compromise on effort.
On what he was thinking when India were 95 for 4 in the last match
It is irrelevant what I was thinking. The players spoke to each other and discussed the great wins they had in the recent past. There was a self-belief in the camp that they would actually make it in the end.
It is irrelevant what I was thinking. The players spoke to each other and discussed the great wins they had in the recent past. There was a self-belief in the camp that they would actually make it in the end.
On the efforts of Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif
I am always in favour of taking people with big hearts and courage in the team. I am also glad that some of the players have the elements to do well consistently. If you are working with the team, you know who can work under pressure and who can come out successfully. The greatest frustration is when the selection panels do not listen to these views and sometimes ignore them.
I am always in favour of taking people with big hearts and courage in the team. I am also glad that some of the players have the elements to do well consistently. If you are working with the team, you know who can work under pressure and who can come out successfully. The greatest frustration is when the selection panels do not listen to these views and sometimes ignore them.
On India being a side in transition
We are only halfway through the process of making a world-champion side. We still need to improve a lot. The good news is that the boys are extremely hungry for success. They share a very cordial relationship among themselves. The senior players, the captain and the other members in the side are always together, and make an effort to extend helping hands to each other. In other words, we keep it very simple.
We are only halfway through the process of making a world-champion side. We still need to improve a lot. The good news is that the boys are extremely hungry for success. They share a very cordial relationship among themselves. The senior players, the captain and the other members in the side are always together, and make an effort to extend helping hands to each other. In other words, we keep it very simple.