Despite defeat, Gayle thrilled with ''special'' ton at home

Kingston, Jamaica, May 19 (UNI) Even though his maiden ton before home crowd could not enure a victory, West Indies opener Chris Gayle called it a ''very special'' century and expressed hopes to continue the good form against India.

Gayle struck 123 for his 12th one day century to take his side to 251 in 45 overs but Team India captain Rahul Dravid led from the front and struck a century to help India win the series opener and go one up in the five-match series.

''Very special, my first one-day hundred at home and I am very pleased. Hopefully it is a start of many more to come,'' a visibly elated Gayle told reporters after the match.

''It was a good innings and I'm happy to remain consistent against the Indian team,'' said the lanky southpaw.

''The last high score I got was 95 not out against Zimbabwe.

It's been a while I haven't scored a century, so I decided to really put this one in the bag,'' Gayle said, even though he was sad that he could not bat through the innings.

Gayle, however, had slowed down once he was in the 90s and the left-hander said it was part of his strategy.

''I watched a couple of my innings against Zimbabwe where I had started slowly and I know that's not typically Chris Gayle.

So I decided to up the tempo and be more aggressive at the top - and it paid off in the end - and after that try to build my innings, '' he said.

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