London, Aug 13: The weariness of the Indian bowling attack prompted him not to enforce a follow-on despite a mammoth 319-run first innings lead in the third Test, a victorious captain Rahul Dravid said on Monday. "I can understand disappointment of the people in their living rooms. But I have seen the bowlers from close quarters and could read their body language," Dravid said after the drawn encounter at the Oval today.

"They had just bowled 90-odd overs and they were tired. Even I would have been disappointed with the decision not to impose follow-on had I been in the living room.”

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"I am aware of the public disappoitment but at the end of the day I have to take my decisions and (facing criticism is) part and parcel of the captain`s job in India."

The result meant India won the three-test series 1-0, their first win in England in 21 years.

Following in the footsteps of Ajit Wadekar (1971) and Kapil Dev (1986), Dravid said he was proud to lead the team.

"We came here to win the series and at the end of the day that`s what matters. It was a complete team effort and everyone, the players and the support staff, did their bit."

Anil Kumble was named man of the match, largely for his maiden Test ton, while James Anderson (England) and Zaheer Khan (India) were adjudged man of the series of either sides.

England captain Michael Vaughan said he was happy with the performance of his inexperienced pace attack but admitted India played better cricket.

"We played good cricket at Lord`s and I`m very proud the way my young bowlers played in the series. But India was just the better team," he said.

"Both their left-arm bowlers (Zaheer Khan and RP Singh) bowled well and produced angles that made life difficult for us. Full credit to India," Vaughan said.

For Anil Kumble, it was a special occasion after the leggie won the man of the match award and it was not for his bowling.

"I did not really expect to win the award because of my batting. So it`s of course a special feeling. I enjoyed my batting," he said.

Kumble confirmed having played his last Test on British soil and said, "I`ll go back with fond memories. We have won a series after 21 years and we deserved it. It would be wonderful to go home victorious."

Bureau Report