There has always been a wrong general perception about Rahul Dravid's role in the Indian team over the years. Dravid has a reputation of being a solid test batsman with immense temperament and a kind of player who can provide calmness in the middle order.
No doubt that Dravid is considered to be one of the very best India has ever produced in longest format of the game, his limited-over brilliance is mostly neglected. Although he has not been a regular member of Indian One day International Team for the past four years, he is still one of the most successful Indian One day batsman.
It is my personal analysis and most of the people would agree with me that Rahul Dravid's general impression of having a uni-dimensional role in the Indian Cricket Team is nothing but a mere speculation. Dravid, by far has been the most multi-tasking member of Indian team over the years which is specifically true as far as his now-almost-forgotten glorious one day career is concerned. I would like to share my insight on Dravid's diverse roles in the limited-over World Cups in which he has featured.
1999 in England: Rahul Dravid came into the tournament as the most In-form Indian bastman along with Sourav Ganguly. Since Tendulkar was out of the side before the tournament and Azharuddin on the verge of retirement, the onus was on the shoulders of Dravid to hold the innings at one-down. Who can forget his mammoth 153 against the defending Champions Sri Lanka? The role was simple and clear: he was the prime batsman of India and he did justice to his role.
2003 in South Africa: Rahul Dravid had a completely different role in the side this time. He was no longer a one-down batsman rather he was asked to bat at number 4 or 5 in order to play an anchor role in the middle overs. In addition, Dravid held another important role in the side in field where he was seen behind the stumps with gloves. A prime batsman who could keep the wickets allowed the Indian management to play an extra batsman or a bowler. Dravid served his team brilliantly well as a wicketkeeper from 2002 till 2004 while simultaneously being a prominent batsman.
2007 in the West Indies: This time Rahul was seen in another significant role. He was the skipper of Indian team and of course, a main batsman in the middle order.
In my opinion, If 2011 World Cup was to be held in any country outside the Subcontinent, Rahul Dravid would definitely have featured in his fourth World Cup. The class, quality and experience which he possess is still beneficial for Indian Team even in limited overs format specially in the alien conditions such as England or South Africa where youngsters struggle.
There is not even the slightest of doubts in the fact that in the history of Test match Cricket, the name of Rahul Dravid is always going to be remembered in golden words. However, the services he has done for India in One day Internationals must never be forgotten. He has been a multi-dimensional servant for Indian Cricket Team in One Day Cricket and he will always be remembered as one of the very best India has ever produced.
No doubt that Dravid is considered to be one of the very best India has ever produced in longest format of the game, his limited-over brilliance is mostly neglected. Although he has not been a regular member of Indian One day International Team for the past four years, he is still one of the most successful Indian One day batsman.
It is my personal analysis and most of the people would agree with me that Rahul Dravid's general impression of having a uni-dimensional role in the Indian Cricket Team is nothing but a mere speculation. Dravid, by far has been the most multi-tasking member of Indian team over the years which is specifically true as far as his now-almost-forgotten glorious one day career is concerned. I would like to share my insight on Dravid's diverse roles in the limited-over World Cups in which he has featured.
1999 in England: Rahul Dravid came into the tournament as the most In-form Indian bastman along with Sourav Ganguly. Since Tendulkar was out of the side before the tournament and Azharuddin on the verge of retirement, the onus was on the shoulders of Dravid to hold the innings at one-down. Who can forget his mammoth 153 against the defending Champions Sri Lanka? The role was simple and clear: he was the prime batsman of India and he did justice to his role.
2003 in South Africa: Rahul Dravid had a completely different role in the side this time. He was no longer a one-down batsman rather he was asked to bat at number 4 or 5 in order to play an anchor role in the middle overs. In addition, Dravid held another important role in the side in field where he was seen behind the stumps with gloves. A prime batsman who could keep the wickets allowed the Indian management to play an extra batsman or a bowler. Dravid served his team brilliantly well as a wicketkeeper from 2002 till 2004 while simultaneously being a prominent batsman.
2007 in the West Indies: This time Rahul was seen in another significant role. He was the skipper of Indian team and of course, a main batsman in the middle order.
In my opinion, If 2011 World Cup was to be held in any country outside the Subcontinent, Rahul Dravid would definitely have featured in his fourth World Cup. The class, quality and experience which he possess is still beneficial for Indian Team even in limited overs format specially in the alien conditions such as England or South Africa where youngsters struggle.
There is not even the slightest of doubts in the fact that in the history of Test match Cricket, the name of Rahul Dravid is always going to be remembered in golden words. However, the services he has done for India in One day Internationals must never be forgotten. He has been a multi-dimensional servant for Indian Cricket Team in One Day Cricket and he will always be remembered as one of the very best India has ever produced.
RD the best..
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