When Rahul Dravid caught Martin Guptill at Hamilton to equal Mark Waugh’s World record of 181 catches in Tests, pride and joy reigned at his parents’ home here in Indira Nagar.

Sharad Dravid and Pushpa Dravid expressed their joy and hoped that he will soon make the record his own.

“It is a proud moment for us. I was watching the match in parts and I am happy that Rahul equalled the record. He has equalled Mark Waugh, who was a fine slip fielder and it feels good.

“I am sure in the coming days he will go past Waugh and make the record his own. He had a chance to do it today but there was a drop (of Daniel Vettori) but I am sure he will get there soon,” Sharad Dravid said.

Meanwhile, Pushpa Dravid, a noted artist, admitted there was a touch of nerves as Dravid closed in on the record.

“Rahul told us not to worry and I am happy that he has equalled the record. It took some time but we are proud that he achieved it,” she said.

The cricketing fraternity was overjoyed and Gundappa Viswanath praised Dravid’s effort.

“It is a tremendous achievement. Standing in the slips needs high concentration and Dravid has been consistent. We always talk about his batting and now with this record it is also time for us to recognise his fielding.

“Having fielded at slips during my playing days I know it is a tough job and Dravid has been exemplary and even during the phase when he wasn’t scoring much, he kept his focus at slips,” Viswanath said.

Syed Kirmani also lauded Dravid’s fielding skills.

“He is a fine specialist close-in fielder and even out in the deep he is a safe fielder. It is a proud moment for Karnataka and India,” Kirmani said.