VVS Laxman, often India's prettiest batsman, and their most consistent one on this tour, realized a life-long dream when he got to his third Test century, at the Antigua Recreation Ground today. "It was always my dream of scoring a hundred in the West Indies and I'm really thrilled that I achieved it," Laxman said in a post-match press conference.

"I thought right from the start of the tour I was batting well. It was just a matter of occupying the crease. Once I was set I thought `I won't throw it away this time.'"

Laxman's unbeaten 205-run stand with Ajay Ratra had taken India to 462, when at one time when it appeared that they would be bowled out under 300. Laxman described Ratra's innings as "very determined and gutsy" and "very positive at the same time."

Ratra's innings calmed what had become a major worry for India in recent times: the lack of any contribution from the tail. It didn't really play on Laxman's mind today. "All the guys in the tail are really talented, and they're capable of performing at the highest level. Zaheer [Khan]showed it in the last game, Anil[Kumble] has proved it so many times.

Laxman's own innings was more circumspect than usual, and worlds removed from his two other centuries, both against Australia. It was deliberate. "The most important thing was to occupy the crease and play because the situation we were in demanded me and Ajay to preserve our wickets, because we had lost early wickets in the morning. I also thought they bowled well, good line and length, not giving us easy deliveries to score."

As the day wore on, the more familiar, free-stroking Laxman began to emerge. "I was seeing the ball much better later. I thought I'll go for it because we had to add quick runs. Specifically, he brought out the hook shot, which he plays well, but sometimes eschews. "It really depends on the situation and the wicket."

"This is the kind of wicket where you watch out in the beginning, occupy the crease and runs will automatically flow. In the later part of the day when Carl Hooper and [Ramnaresh] Sarwan were bowling, it was turning. That's a good sign because Anil is there and he can do well for us."

Rahul Bhattacharya is a staff writer with Wisden.com in India. His reports will appear here throughout the Test series.

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