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Ganguly, Waugh praise Dravid

December 16, 2003 15:30 IST

Sachin Tendulkar has been compared to the great Don Bradman but India captain Sourav Ganguly believes Rahul Dravid is worthy of even higher praise.

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Dravid helped India pull off a remarkable four-wicket victory in the second test against Australia on Tuesday with scores of 233 and 72 not out.

"He (Dravid) batted like God here once again so I'm not surprised the way he's played," Ganguly said.

"I've always said he was one of the greats. He's a role model for a lot of sportsmen back in India."

Australian captain Steve Waugh also lavished praise on the stylish right-hander.

"He has a great technique and a great temperament. We always knew he was a good player but now we're going to have come up with a new plan to get him out."

While Tendulkar, West Indian Brian Lara and Australia's Matthew Hayden dominate most debates on who is the best batsmen in world cricket, Dravid's figures speak just as loud.

The 30-year-old has scored 16 Test hundreds, including four double centuries, and has a career average of 56.54. His 233 in the first innings against Australia was the third highest score by an Indian in Test cricket, the highest overseas, and the fourth highest by a foreigner on Australian soil.

Dravid had a poor tour of Australia four years ago but showed the world champions what he was capable of when he made 180 in a 376-run partnership with Vangipurappu Laxman at Calcutta two years ago.

"This would definitely have to be my best Test performance, no doubt about it, but I look back on Calcutta and it still gives me such joy," Dravid said.

"At the moment I think I have great emotion, but maybe when I've finished and I have a chance to sit back this victory will mean a lot as well."

Dravid said he felt drained after his marathon knock in the first innings at Adelaide Oval but knew he also had to produce something special in the second if India were to claim victory.

"This was very important for us to bat in the fourth innings and chase 230 against a good side to win," he said.

"I was tired but I knew how important it was, so it wasn't that hard to keep remotivating myself, refocusing myself.

"I just knew it was going to be a few more hours of hard work and a few more hours of concentration and the job would be done."


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