RAWALPINDI, April 14: Rahul Dravid, India vice-captain who scored an unbeaten 134 on the second day of the third Test on Wednesday, said that he had worked hard after coming to bat at a difficult time. "I let myself down in the first two Tests and needed to correct that and I was lucky to stay at the crease today," he told a press conference.

Dravid, who made 39 in three innings going into the Rawalpindi match, had come in to bat after the first-ball dismissal of Virender Sehwag on Tuesday. "It was hot out there, which was tough for both the batsmen and the bowlers, but we needed to hang in there and we succeeded.

"My role was to hang in there and allow others to score, and now we need one more big partnership to take a firm grip on the match," the 31-year-old remarked.

Dravid added that the Indians would like to get an imposing total to put pressure on Pakistan. "It is still a good wicket and may crack up on the fourth and fifth day with a shadow of (Anil) Kumble still there." He praised Parthiv Patel, who was promoted to open in this match and made 69. "He did a good job and showed character and courage."