London: Come Thursday and Rahul Dravid will be going for the toss at Lord’s, the venue where he made his Test debut 11 years ago. On the eve of the latest series against England, though, Dravid insisted his emotions weren’t all that different.

“Captaining at Lord’s is going to be nice... I’m excited, but every Test is special... I’m not feeling any different,” he told The Telegraph on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier, both Dravid and England captain Michael Vaughan interacted with the media.

First, excerpts from what Dravid said:

On the about-to-begin series

It’s going to be pretty even... We’ve got to be smart and have the basics in place... The batsmen, for example, have to look at being in the middle for four-five sessions.

On a rather inexperienced new-ball attack

Zaheer Khan is experienced... It’s an opportunity for everybody...

On having quality contenders for the middle-order

Yes and somebody will have to miss out... V.V.S. Laxman didn’t get to play in Bangladesh, but he’s ready for a big series in England...

On whether there’s added pressure on him

One player can’t make a difference... I’ve contributed in some wins overseas, but so have others... I just see myself as one part of the batting line-up... Moreover, it’s the bowlers who play a bigger role as you can’t win unless you’ve taken 20 wickets.

On senior-most pro Sachin Tendulkar

He had great knocks in Ireland (against South Africa) and batted very well in Chelmsford... You can write Sachin off at your peril... Of course, it’s virtually impossible to play at the same level for 17-18 years... He’s enjoying himself... The joy is there to be seen... Sachin loves cricket.

On not having got a Test hundred at Lord’s, like Sachin

Even if I don’t get a hundred, I’ll be happy if we win the Test... Rather than a hundred, I would settle for a Test win...

On experience

You can have the world of experience, but still need to perform... For all your experience, you start from zero... From scratch...

On the No.1 ’keeper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni

He has done nothing wrong in his career... He’s going to be tested, but the more exposure he gets in these conditions, the better he will become.

On Dinesh Karthik

He has shown a lot of character and has impressed a lot of people... He lost his wicketkeeping position to Dhoni (in 2004-05), but was determined to fight his way back, as an opener... If he doesn’t make the most of opportunities as an opener, then I’m sure he’ll try and get back as a wicketkeeper...

On Wasim Jaffer having a poor build-up

He may not have got runs in the lead-up matches, but he is a Test batsman.

On Harbhajan Singh not being in the squad

I wouldn’t like to comment on selection matters.

On Andrew Flintoff’s absence

It’s a blow for any team when an allrounder of his calibre isn’t able to play... When he’s around, England can play five bowlers... He brings a lot to the party.

On Monty Panesar

He’s a improved bowler... We’ve watched some of his tapes... It’s going to be a challenge for us... It’s going to be a challenge for him...

Finally, on India’s disappointing record overseas

We’ve been improving in the past five-six years... One needs to acclimatise and, perhaps, we haven’t always toured with the right attack.

Now, excerpts from Vaughan’s interaction:

On returning to the captain’s chair after the Twenty20 Internationals and ODIs against the West Indies

I’m feeling refreshed and am looking forward to again playing at Lord’s... I haven’t played here for two years... I made the right decision (of quitting as the one-day captain).

On the split captaincy, with Paul Collingwood being the other captain

(Laughs) It has worked well over the past couple of days... Time will tell... Colly and I are good friends... I’ve always believed in having more leaders in the dressing room... In driving the team, the more the better...

On India being tougher opponents than the West Indies

Yeah, it’s going to be a bigger test... It’s going to be a bigger challenge, but it’s an opportunity for our young attack... It’s an opportunity for us to try and be aggressive... Whether we’ve moved forward or not (in Test cricket) will be known after this series.

On being handicapped by injuries to bowlers

Well, we’ll be looking at getting the combination which can take 20 wickets...

On Panesar

He’s proven himself, though he could be tested in this series... He’s still on a learning curve.

On Kevin Pietersen and the fatigue factor

His comment has got wide publicity, but I’m going to judge him over what I’ve seen in the past couple of days... He’s been very committed...

On having had a great series against India in 2002

I did the basics right...

On what the past holds

I never look too far back, nor do I look too far ahead... What will be will be.

Finally, on whether the Indians have the most formidable top-order

They’ve got a good record at home, but the Australian batsmen have done better in all conditions... Actually, quite a few teams have good batting line-ups.