Former India captain Rahul Dravid was all smiles after scoring a double century for Karnataka on the fourth and final day of the Ranji Trophy match against holders Mumbai, which ended in a draw on Tuesday.
"It always helps to get some runs and spend some time in the middle," said Dravid, whose omission from the Indian team for the first two One-Day Internationals against Pakistan has come in for lot of criticism.
He slammed 21 fours and five sixes while scoring 214, in a seven-hour and 15 minutes' stay at the wicket in Karnataka's second innings total of 397.
The Bangalore stalwart said is wasn't difficult to get motivated.
"It does not matter whether there's a big crowd or not. It's not difficult to get motivated to play a big innings whether I play for India or Karnataka. These external factors don't matter," he said, hastening to add that the big konck would have served his team better had it come in the first essay.
"I would have loved to score (double hundred) in the first innings. But full credit to the Mumbai bowlers who bowled very well on the first day. Ramesh (Powar) and Ajit Agarkar bowled really well. They also batted well.
"I am happy my performance has helped us get one point," he said.
Dravid scored 40 in the first innings before being consumed in the leg trap off Powar.
Dravid said not much should be read about veteran leg spinner and Karnataka captain Anil Kumble's lack of wickets in the match considering that he will be up against Pakistan in the upcoming Test series.
"Anil is such an experienced bowler. He has another match coming up (against Himachal Pradesh in Bangalore) before the start of the Test series. He should be ready for the Tests," said the middle order batting mainstay.
Kumble took only one wicket in Mumbai's first innings, that of his counterpart Amol Muzumdar, after bowling 24 overs.
Dravid said all the India regulars are always keen to play in domestic cricket and follow the happenings even in the thick of their international commitments.
"The international schedule is so cramped that regulars in the Indian team don't get many chances to play in domestic cricket. All want to play and follow the scores keenly," he added.
