Rahul Dravid is compulsively noble. In a country where favoritism is a part of the system and where ex-players and selectors are often seen buttressing their states’ cricketers’ candidature, he never supported Anil Kumble or Mohammed Kaif as much as he wanted because with one he shared state and with the other coach. (He wanted to support Verinder Sehwag and he did it with all the zeal his modest self could muster and these days he is being pushed around to make room for the plump batsmen)

He is synonymous with the word ‘correct’ and this can be seen not only in his style of play but also in the way he conducts himself on and off the field.

Dravid is also aware of the fact that the big three at times look like pushing their case irrationally. His decision to bow out of the ICC Twenty20 championship was a reflection of this awareness and characteristic of his nature. Later he stepped down as Test captain. This, I think, is how Dravid has always been and this is pretty much the reason why he is such a great batsmen. He is able to back himself against all odds if he know he is doing the right thing. While others succumb to external pressures, he only has to convince himself and the rest, as they say, is history.

'Dravid mustn’t let his stint as a king spoil him, he is the best ‘tough task doer’ we have'


This righteous man now finds himself in a peculiar situation. His No.3 spot seems to have lost all its reverence. Sachin Tendulkar is still irreplaceable and pretty useful with his bowling while Sourav Ganguly taxes the fans' patience with his lethargy and failing fitness. I think after stepping down as Test captain he could have used some time off to settle down mentally, but with the upcoming tour to Australia, where he knows he will have to perform well, it wouldn’t be ethically or strategically right to stay away from the action.

He needs to analyse the situation and see if there is a spot where he can serve the team. It is never easy to be a king and then return to be a servant again. But that’s what he has before him. He mustn’t let his stint as a king spoil him; he is the best ‘tough task doer’ we have.

If he decides that he has a role to play I think the question should never be about ‘adjusting’ to the ODI format. I am not saying that he ‘belongs’ in the ODI, but I can say that with his current strike rate and average, he is more than just useful in this format. He runs every run hard, has the ability to build partnerships (he was involved in the two biggest partnerships for any wicket in an ODI), is a more than useful slip fielder and is indispensable when playing in harder conditions like those in Australia. He is the best amongst the Indian big three and one of the all-time greats in the history of Indian and world cricket.

One thing is for sure, he must forestall the BCCI and the selection committee officials, who have a history of getting delirious when they have an important task or decision to make. The Aussies sticking with Brad Hodge doesn’t come across as a surprise as we know that Australia invest a lot in their players. They have conviction in what they do because they get results.

The Indian cricket infrastructure is different. Dravid set the right example when he inspired the big three not to play in the Twenty20 and he is being followed now by Tendulkar, who has not only declined the Test captaincy but also sub-textually suggested that a youngster be given the opportunity.

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