We took it session by session, say the day's heroes

The Eden Gardens has seen many a great innings and partnerships. However, the two gems that were played by Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman today left the others far behind. It was not only a battle on the field, but also one at the mental level. Probably for the first time during the last two years, the Australians were pushed on the back foot. Laxman and Dravid forced them to take saline drips after the end of the day's play. It was a sapping effort, both of the physique and the mind. However, the Laxman-Dravid duo conquered all including the Australian bowlers.

Both Laxman and Dravid looked quite satisfied when they faced the media today, the former for becoming the highest individual scorer in Indian Test cricket and Rahul Dravid for re-establishing the faith of his teammates. Laxman said, "It's really thrilling to break a record created by a legend in World Cricket. The 237th run was the most important run of the innings. It overshadowed all the shots that I played." Laxman also informed that they had planned to bat session by session. "We took each session with the aim of not losing a wicket. We are satisfied that we have managed to do that. The team had depended on us. We have reciprocated the faith that they showed towards us." Laxman also made it clear that even though his aim is to go for three hundred tomorrow, "that is a secondary aim. The first aim is to guide the team to a victory."

Dravid was the first to pay compliments to Laxman on his knock. "I saw the 167 that he scored at Sydney. This innings even beats that. It was a fantastic effort and it also inspired me to perform well." Dravid, who was demonstrative towards the press box after getting his century however did not agree that he was angry with the media. "I would rather say that we were disappointed. Everybody was writing us off as a team. The emotion was just to show that we can work as a team. We have put in a lot of hard work for the last couple of months. That paid off today." Dravid also stated that batting with Laxman helped him to regain his touch. "When you see your partner in such great form it obviously inspires you. And since we have had long partnerships in the past it also helped. We regularly play for the same zone and we could keep each other going. We knew exactly the state of our minds."

The Indian vice-captain also made it clear that the century was one of his better knocks. "I wouldn't like to rate it the way journalists do. However, it has been a very good day out there on the ground for me. There was a lot of pressure on me, on the team and also on Indian cricket as well. To battle against such odds and the Aussie bowlers and come out tops gives one a great feeling."

Dravid also acknowledged the role of the entire team for seeing them through the day. "We could see in their eyes that they were willing us on. Their applause was spontaneous, the words that they spoke came from the heart. To perform for such teammates is really satisfying." When asked whether he preferred batting at number six, pat came the reply, "I have batted at one, three and six. If Sourav and John ask me to carry the drinks on to the field, I will be glad to do that. I have no hard feelings that Laxman has gone in at number three. He has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and I congratulate him for that."

Laxman however made it clear that he does not psyche himself up by talking as Rahul does during an innings. "I play each ball on its merit. I really do not talk much to myself. However, today both Rahul and myself were conversing regularly to keep the momentum going. In Test cricket very few people get to score 275. the feeling has been really good."

The Indian dressing room was also understandably relaxed today. Skipper Sourav Ganguly said, "This is the best knock I have seen both of them play. The next best would be the 140 that Sachin Tendulkar scored at Perth." Coach John Wright was also very happy at the show put up by both batsmen. "They demonstrated that they are champion cricketers. They have inspired the entire team."