Indian players floor Lahore University students

Rahul Dravid, Irfan Pathan, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Parthiv Patel batted for India on another wicket ? the Lahore University.

He has a huge female fan following both in India and Pakistan but Rahul Dravid rules out a film career for himself after retirement, saying he is not cut out for dancing around trees.

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But the newcomer on the scene, Lakshmipathy Balaji, who is always smiling out in the middle even when under attack from batsmen, fancies for himself a comedian's role in movies.

India's newest star Irfan Pathan, who has put up a tremendous showing in this country, states the obvious when ruling out playing for Pakistan. "I am proud to be an Indian. There is no chance to play for Pakistan."

These three Indian cricketers, alongwith the diminutive wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel, batted for their country on another wicket -- the Lahore University of Management Sciences -- where they had a lively interactive session on Friday night with the students who asked a wide variety of questions ranging from Indo-Pak relations to films.

The cricketers did not disappoint and floored their young audience with witty answers.

Would Dravid turn to acting in films once his cricketing career is over?

"Nobody is going to watch my films. I know my acting skills. Dancing around trees is not my cup of tea."

When the same question was posed to Balaji, he promptly replied: "I would like to do a comedian's role."

Every answer was greeted with a loud applause and when Dravid spoke about his experience of Pakistan and the warmth and hospitality the team had received in his introductory remarks, there was a fresh round of cheering.

A girl student asked Balaji how it felt to hit Shoaib Akhtar for a six. "It was great. I had never hit a six in Ranji Trophy or any other match. It was a memorable six," he said even as chants of "Balaji, Balaji" reverberated in the jam-packed auditorium.

On his experience of visiting the Wagah Border, Dravid said it was a different experience watching the ceremony from the Pakistani side.

"If you look across the border, you know it is India. Actually, you felt like going to the other side and see from there. But I never felt a sense of hostility. It was patriotic for both sides."

A student from the back row shot asked Dravid how challenging it is to be a cricketer from India?

"It is an absolute challenge to be an Indian or Pakistani cricketer. There is so much of passion for the game in these two countries. There is a lot of pressure, but there are rewards also. We are in a unique position to give happiness to so many people. The cricketers from South Africa and England go about in a normal way, but it is not the case with us. I will rather be in such a position."

Another student wanted to know what is the one thing he did not like about Pakistan. Pat came the answer from Dravid: "it will be nice if your fast bowlers bowled a little slowly, or Inzamam scored less runs. But jokes aside, there are no negative feedbacks."

Would the Pakistan team receive a similar response went in went to India ?

"The Pakistan team will receive the same reception. The team was given a standing ovation in Chennai (in 1999). I know that the Pakistani players love coming to India, and I hope a lot of you will also come to India to watch the matches."

Dravid said the entire series has been played in good spirit and there was a lot of camaraderie between the players. "We have the same language, the same culture, the same sense of humour. We have got to know the Pakistani players better. It will be good if we get to play more matches."

The young Pathan, who also got his share of applauses, was asked whether he would like to represent Pakistan. "I am proud to be an Indian. There is no chance to play for Pakistan," replied the 19-year-old Baroda seamer.

A student wanted to know Dravid's opinion of the Pakistani bowling attack.

"It is not easy to replace great bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Pakistan have a good attack though a little inexperienced. It is an attack which is developing."

Dravid also told the young audience a big innings was due from him after his failure in both the Tests.

"I had a pretty good one-day series. It's disappointing not to get the runs in the Tests. I have to correct that in Rawalpindi. I feel I am due for a long one".

The students pleaded with Dravid not to do it at Rawalpindi, where the series decider is to be played from April 13.