Undoubtedly, Rahul Dravid’s 26th Test 100 is a significant one not only because of its impact on the 2nd Test match between India and England at Mohali, but also because of its impact on how people perceive his career.
Considering the fact that this was his first after a prolonged 20 innings drought, this is indeed a significant ton for the beleaguered batsmen. His 348-ball knock justified the selectors and the Indian team management’s faith in him. With this knock of 136 runs, he enthused the flagging spirits of his fans.
Dravid himself was quick to admit his relief “It’s a quite significant knock, considering the form I was in coming into the match. Its one of the most significant hundreds I scored and I now just hope we go on to win this match."
However, Rahul will admit that this ton in no way signifies that he has recaptured his form. It showed that Rahul Dravid has not lost his tenacity and his desire to perform for his country. It showed that he could still fight toe to toe and look the opposition unblinkingly in their eyes. It showed why Rahul Dravid goes by the nickname ‘The Wall’.
Beyond all this, it showed that Dravid could now retire with his head held high.
Image from The Eternity.
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12 comments:
Ott,
I was thinking along the exact same lines.. Thanks for articulating this..
Cheers,
Homer,
You are welcome.
BTW, How do you see the Mohali Test? Any chance of a win?
Ott,
So you think RD should retire after this series or should continue?
Dravid was plumb before the wicket before he had scored many runs. He was lucky to score this many runs. This will delay the prospect of another young man coming in by few more matches.
So the stupidity continues. The Indian middle order greats are all scoring runs and I have not noticed enough of a fielding issue to justify dropping them, and yet the cries of "they should retire"are uninterrupted. Ganguly was arm twisted into retirement in the same year that he scored more than 1000 runs in test cricket. Before that he was shunted out of ODIs in 2007 when he scored 1120 runs for the year. Dravid for all his lack of form has 800+ runs in test cricket this year. Dhoni has less than 700 in the same period. These players would have to concede a lot of boundaries and drop a lot of catches to justify dropping them for anything other than an inability to score runs. The chorus is even more foolish because who is waiting in the wings to replace these people - Badrinath? Raina? Sharma? They've all had ample chances and have little to show for it. With all due respect to the bloggers and journalists in the celestial choir - back off!
Otts, you summed it up beautifully. It is nice to see that Dravid is also not fooled by thinking he is back in form. He also indicated that he is going to work on it in the domestic. So he ain't through but even if he does, the greatest Indian batsmen ever in test cricket should still feel good when he leaves.
Tri,
Neither. I believe he should announce his retirement date, so that both his team and his successor can ready themselves for the change.
R,
On the first day he was both shaky and lucky. On the second day he was better but nowhere near his best.
Yep, his successor has every reason to rue his luck.:)
yenjie,
Let me at first extend a warm welcome to this blog. Secondly I appreciate your sentiments.
Forgive me if I am wrong, I think you are a part of a generation that grew up with these 'legends'. So you have not seen these situations unfold.
I have undergone the same turmoil when my favourite batsmen G.R.Vishwanath was unceremoniously given the boot purely on the back of one horror of a series in Pakistan.
Like you I had the same opinion about the critics baying for his blood. However, in retrospect, I think it was good he departed because he still retains the aura (at least to me).:)
Coming to Dravid, I do not want to antagonize you further by picking his foibles apart. But look at it this way, his batting averages and his skill is unlikely to improve. To your argument that there are no replacements I do not want to get into who can replace him,but consider this no man is indispensable, so isn't it better if we try out a few when Dravid is still playing.
To cut the long story short, Dravid is marching in the same place albeit in step.
Cheers.
Scorpi,
Exactly, he should go with his dignity still intact.
Great work !
Because writing countineously on any game is so difficult
Vinod Kumar,
A warm welcome and many thanks for your appreciation. Your output too is quiet astonishing.Congratulations.
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