PTI
  
Kingston (Jamaica), Jun 30: India captain Rahul Dravid has backed his West Indian counterpart Brian Lara's decision to bat again instead of enforcing follow-on in the drawn third cricket Test in St Kitts, saying continuing again would have been a tough call for his bowlers.

Dravid said Lara faced criticism from all the quarters but being a skipper himself, he was not surpised a bit considering the tiredness of the West Indies fast bowlers.

"Not really. I wasn't really surprised to be very honest with you. Once our last wicket partnership went on for about an hour or so, I knew that he'd probably bat again," Dravid said.

"In hindsight you can look back and think about it differently but at that stage you are in a dilemma as a captain and I know exactly being in that situation you've got four bowlers and they have already bowled 100-odd overs, you are not sure about one of your guys, his fitness and it's tough call because the boys have been in the sun.

"So sometimes you've just got to give them a bit of respite and try and have a crack the next morning," he was quoted as saying by the 'Trinidad Guardian'.

Lara's decision to bat again after West Indies gained a first innings lead of 219 with the final session left on the fourth day at Warner Park Stadium was a subject of debate for everyone after the fourth day's play.

The hosts declared their second innings on 172 for six on the final morning after adding 59 runs off eight overs while losing two wickets to set 392 for victory. India closed on 298 for four to draw the third Test in a row.