Dravid hammered 144 not out to lead India to 395-7 by the time rain forced an early close to the fourth day's play.

India were replying to West Indies' 501 but were struggling on 275-7 before Dravid and Sarandeep Singh - with a career-best 39 not out - shared a record 120-run stand.

"It's one of my best knocks," said the 29-year-old Dravid.

"It was important for us to first avoid the follow on and then bat for as long as possible to get into a position from where we could ensure a draw.

"There is a responsibility on me as a senior member of the side to put my hand up and be counted.

"That was something that was crossing my mind right through. I'm satisfied I came through when it mattered."

Vice-captain Dravid, who took his total of Test centuries to 10 from 56 matches, said he was in pain after being hit on his helmet by a ball from paceman Mervyn Dillon while on 59.

"I couldn't pick the delivery and just ducked into it," he said.

"I was a bit jaded initially but the physio came and said I should be okay.

"My jaw was throbbing a bit but I took a few painkillers and had to bat on because at that point of time we couldn't have afford my leaving the field, it wouldn't have been right.

"It wouldn't have been right to leave the field at that stage.

"I thought I would see it through till the follow-on but by then things had cleared up and I was batting quite fluently so I kept going."

Dravid began the day on 57 and added 119 for the fourth wicket with VVS Laxman (69).

The pair also compiled a 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket against Australia at Calcutta last year.