Calcutta: Russi Jeejeebhoy, who was part of the victorious squad on the tour of the West Indies in 1971, is pleased that the current side has managed to repeat the feat.

“I’m happy Rahul Dravid and his men have managed to win? However, it’s sad that it took so long,” the former national selector told The Telegraph on Monday.

Jeejeebhoy, the only representative on that tour from East Zone, did not play any of the five Tests, but was part of the team in five practice matches. “The team management did not want to break the winning combination. But even the reserve players were made to feel part of the side,” he reminisced.

Recalling the tour, the former wicketkeeper added: “We had a very good captain in Ajit Wadekar. His captaincy to a certain extent was the key to success in the series, as also the collective will and motivation of the players. We played as a team.”