Dravid cherishes 10,000 Test runs more than his ODIs

Chennai, Mar 29 (UNI) Former India captain Rahul Dravid today said he would cherish his 10,000 Test runs more than those in One-Day Internationals' as getting so many runs in the traditional form of cricket was more difficult.

Talking to newspersons here after the fourth day's play, Dravid, who reached the milestone in the course of his knock of 111, and joined the elite club comprising Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Alan Border, Steve Waugh and Sunil Gavaskar, said ''it is really a proud moment for me when I look back at 12 years of my cricket career, since I have done more than what I had expected for myself''.

''I have maximised my potential in these years'', the Karnataka star added.

''To do it here in Chepauk along with my family members watching is really special'', he said.

Dravid said it was good to be among runs again after a bad patch of one year.

''I had been performing well over the last five to six years, which I was not able to achieve during last year'', he said, adding he had put in lot of hard work to get back into shape, especially doing hard physical training during the last six weeks.

''I came into this test after getting good runs in Deodhar trophy'', Dravid said.

''I thought I could not do it. I clearly remember being inspired by seeing Sunil Gavaskar raising his bat after completing his 10,000 runs in test cricket, on television set,'' he added.

Dravid said his ambitions always was to play for India. ''My long tenure for India reflects the numbers''.

''I felt I was coming back in phases especially after the Bangaladesh series'', he pointed out, adding he also felt great to have achieved the 10,000 run mark in ODIs along-side two great players of his generation -- Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar.

''I have to pinch myself. It was also good for me''.

Dravid said he had always tried to give off his best and contribute to the side.

''I never had any targets like the 10,000 club'', he said.

He recalled that Sourav Ganguly was batting with him when he scored his first Test century and today he was there when he crossed the 10,000 milestone.

To a question, Dravid said there was still a possibility of a result in this Test.

''We have two good spinners. We have to take a bunch of wickets in the first session tomorrow''.

About the pitch, Dravid said there was some turn, but it was slow and there were a few rough edges in the pitch.

''It is turning slowly, but we have to bowl well tomorrow'', he said.

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