Rahul Dravid is elated that the Indian team, written off after their back-to-back defeats in Melbourne and Sydney, finally upset the Australian applecart on Saturday.
PERTH: Former captain Rahul Dravid is elated that the Indian team, written off after their back-to-back defeats in Melbourne and Sydney, finally upset the Australian applecart on Saturday.
"Nobody gave us a chance to win the Test but we showed what we can do," a beaming Dravid said after India's 72-run win over Australia.
"It was a team effort and I am happy for Kumble and the boys that we came up with a remarkable win," he added.
Dravid, who top-scored in India's first innings with 93, however, refused to be dragged into the debate on whether it was India's greatest Test triumph abroad.
"We had some other wins outside India earlier and it is difficult to pick which one was the best. But, it was a sweet win for us as it came against the Australians and after we were 0-2 down in the series," he said.
The right hander was all smiles and was relieved that his dismissal at a crucial stage in the first innings did not prove costly.
"I thought I had messed up in the last half an hour of the first day by getting out at a crucial stage for the team."
"Fortunately, the bowlers performed fantastically and Laxman came up with a fine knock in the second innings. So, it has sort of removed my regret," he added.
Assistant coach Lalchand Rajput said after trailing 0-2, the team was determined to prove a point by winning the Perth Test.
"We were 0-2 down and lots of things had happened (in the tour). The boys desperately wanted a win. We wanted to give the Aussies a run for their money," he said.
Rajput had special words of praise for the bowlers for doing a fine job on a pitch famed for pace and bounce.
"There were lots of stories going around that the Indians would not be able to cope with the pace and bounce in Perth. But our plan was simple: win the toss, put up a good total and put pressure on the Australians."
"RP (Singh), (Irfan) Pathan and Ishant (Sharma) did great job in both the innings. Ishant is improving with every match. He has a bright future," Rajput said.
Comeback man Virender Sehwag rated the victory as one of the best ever.
"A lot was said about the pitch, its bounce and Australia's all-pace attack. All these make it a very special win," he said.
On his suggestion to Anil Kumble to give Ishant a longer spell, Sehwag said, "As the Delhi captain, I knew he could bowl a longer spell and that's why I asked Anil to continue with him."
Ishant removed Ricky Ponting in that over to vindicate Sehwag's trust in him.
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