Posted by Did anyone outside India really think that Rahul Dravid should have been dropped at any point during his relatively prolonged spell of poor form? We certainly didn’t. It’s Rahul Dravid.
Looking back now, it seems that run of poor form ended about this time last year in Mohali when he hit 136 against England. Today’s 177 not out against Sri Lanka was his first Test hundred since then, but he’s been steadily knocking fifties, so when India fell to 32-4, they had the right man for the job.
His eyes had gone
As soon as batsmen get into their thirties, spells of poor form are greeted with pronouncements about their eyes going or that they’re ‘past it’. It’s rarely true. Steve Waugh retired at 38. He may have scored a bit slower, but he averaged 70-odd in his last year of Test cricket. Graham Gooch hit hundreds into his forties. Mark Ramprakash is still in the form of his life and he’s 40 now.
With a batsman as good as Rahul Dravid, a bad patch is just that – even at the age of 36 (nearly 37). India’s much-maligned selectors deserve credit for persevering with ageing big names when there have been a lot of calls for change. Poor form in younger players is more easily tolerated, but you have to acknowledge that players like Rahul Dravid don’t come around all that often.
He looked so good today I wanted to weep. I have a horrible feeling that after this generation of players go so will the proper balance and exquisite grace of the cover and extra cover drive. I can’t think of any young players who can really do it the way Punter, Dravid, Sachin and co do.
Clearly he’s sick of being a bridesmaid.
Dravid is such an amazingly correct batsman; when he couples that technique with aggressive intent, you get some of the most precise, powerful strokeplay possible. A joy to watch.
To all the Sachin and Cricket fans-
Who can forget the 1999 World Cup, when he played even though his father passed away midway through the tournament? He took a break to attend the funeral and returned quickly to score a century, then looked up to the skies to seek his father’s blessings. It was a very touching and emotional moment for every Indian. The poignancy of that moment has stayed in the minds of all who watched that knock. I am no exception.
Stand up and cheer for the little master as World celebrates 20 years of his International career.
Visit the following links—–>
http://nishantnischal.blogspot.com/2009/11/sachin-tendulkars-20-years-in.html
http://nischal.co.nr
Love- Nishant Nischal.
On a different tack. Has there ever been a more inappropriately nicknamed cricketer? When I was a youngster I spent a great deal of time bowling at a wall. I do not ever recall it using sublime footwork to drive me through the covers. In fact the only real recollection I have is that any ball just short of a good length immediately resulted in a caught and bowled dismissal. I suspect my bowling would not produce the same result from Rahul Dravid. So could I suggest we give him the far more accurate moniker Rahul ‘my older cousin, Kevin’ Dravid.
Motion carried.
Henceforth, Rahul Dravid will be somewhat confusingly known as ‘my older cousin, Kevin’.
Change his real name as well as his nickname while you are about it. And instead of calling him Rahul call him David. David Dravid.
That way we could just call him Dave. Or Drave?
Or Dave Drave?