He is one of the select few with a Test batting average of over 50 but Rahul Dravid insists that he is not a complete batsman.

In 43 Test matches, he has hit a double century and eight other hundreds in scoring 3660 runs at an average of 53.82. In one-day internationals he averages 36.76 with seven hundreds.

Yet, the Indian vice-captain said today he was far from perfect and was constantly evaluating his performances and bringing changes in his techniques.

"I know I am not a complete player. I know that for a fact. You keep learning along the way. You learn every day. You try to grasp and may be try to put a few of those things in your game," Dravid said in an interview to PTI in Mutare.

And because, he was not a perfect batsman, Dravid said, he welcomed healthy criticism.

"I am willing to listen to the criticism, look at it. If I feel it works for me, it makes sense for me, I would do something about it. If I feel it doesn't make any sense, and somebody is criticising just for the sake of criticising, I can forget about it. I have the ability not to think about it," he said.

But Dravid, who is known to keep his cool under duress and who tries "to remain as controversy-free as possible" admitted that sometimes things go beyond his control and he has reacted to criticism or sledging by opposition teams.

"There have been moments (when I have lost my cool) but generally I can keep things under control on a cricket field."

And though he did not mention it, the whole world saw his outburst after completing his century against Australia in that memorable Test at Kolkata where he waved his bat in anger towards the press box seeking to dispel their doubts over his ability to score at a brisk pace.

Slow scoring is a charge that has been associated with Dravid many a time, but the stylish Karnataka batsman countered this saying his pace of scoring really depended on the requirement of the team and his own form.

"Cricket is all about confidence and form. Batsmen in good form will tend to play a lot of shots. I think it (scoring at a slow pace) is just an illusion. When I am out of form and not getting runs people must have felt so. But it happens to any batsmen.

"It also depends on the kind of role you are playing and the situation you are in. When the situation calls for domination, I would like to do that but if it calls for staying in the middle, I must go for it.

I have played a lot at the number three position. There your job is to hold your end and ensure that you don't lose too many early wickets to the new ball. Now that I am batting lower down the order, it may give me a little more opportunity to play a bit more shots."

He did not agree with a suggestion that he would have been more aggressive had he been playing for a side stronger than India. "I personally feel we have got a good side. The fact that I play in the same side as (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sourav) Ganguly and (VVS) Laxman gives me a lot of confidence. It takes a lot of pressure off me. Instead of being a deterrent, I think it (playing for India) has helped me and inspired me to play better," he said.

Dravid said playing with a straight bat was one of his biggest strengths and he was taught at a very young age to do so by none other than the great Gundappa Viswanath.

"While playing in the Ranji Trophy, he (Viswanath) told me never to use my pads to play against spinners. All good players of spin actually use their bats. You would never see a Sachin Tendulkar use his pads. Or Brian Lara."

The ability to concentrate for a long time was another of his strong points which again he learnt at a very young age. "I have enjoyed being at the wicket for long periods of time. This is something I have developed over the years. I concentrate well and do not throw away my wicket when things are going good. If I get set I try to make it a big one."

Dravid, who has an excellent record against Zimbabwe with three centuries in as many Tests, had an explanation for India's relatively poor performance on foreign soil.

"I think we find the conditions on and off the field not to our liking. Maybe we don't adjust to it. But then there are not many teams who win abroad."

Dravid has taken some outstanding catches at forward short leg but said he was not a natural fielder at that position and had worked very hard to improve.

"Once I knew I would be fielding in that position for some time, I worked at it, took a lot of catches and sort of improved as I went along. I have enjoyed fielding close-in. You tend to concentrate harder. Concentrating and being a part of the game for long periods are my strengths."

On his duel with leg-spinner Shane Warne, Dravid said it had always been very interesting and he enjoyed the see-saw battle with the Aussie.

"I have played 10 Tests against him. He has got me out a few times but I also have enjoyed success against him. I scored a lot of runs against him playing for Kent on a real turner of a wicket. It was very satisfying."

Dravid denied he had been instrumental in getting John Wright, who was his coach at Kent, appointed as coach of the Indian team. "It was the Board's decision to go in for foreign coaches. They just asked me how it was like working with him (Wright) for six months. This was in Nairobi (in October, 2000) when he had already been appointed. To say I was instrumental in his appointment is a fallacy."

Perfect or not, Dravid is happy and satisfied with his performance and not unaware of his worth in the team. "I have done quite well in the 43 Test matches. I have got a very good record home and away and I have always done my best. I know in my heart that I have always given my best. I work very hard. I focus very hard. It is very satisfying to know that I am giving my best to the team. And then my record at the end of the day.... I mean that is the most important thing."

© PTI