DRAVID IS BACK in ODI scheme of things and that is what the selectors want us to believe by naming him in the 30 men probables squad. It's a big surprise for me and only Badri getting a good run under Dhoni at a stable slot would upstage it. Dravid is not getting younger nor is he getting any quicker. He may strike better but his running and fielding will cost us more.
Selectors may have considered Dravid's utility value in SA or they may be keeping him as a back up for Sachin Tendulkar, to ensure a senior is in the team, or unhappy with our dancing middle order that's struggling against short stuff or just sending a message to Raina, Rohit and Co. Whatever be the reason it still is a retrograde step. I am not against Dravid. He is a class act and I always love to see him bat. But then if he makes a comeback then that's a strong negative statement on India's bench and the youth.
I don't see a certain Pujara or Tiwary in the squad. I would like to see selectors showing more faith in Badri and Pujara. These two have scored loads of runs in the past seasons. You take the last 4 of 5 domestic seasons, one of these names have always dominated the scene. Why are they not receiving the faith or the rope that Rohit and to some extent Raina is receiving. At least I can understand Raina but not Rohit. Despite poor technique against short ball and poor performance Rohit Sharma is still leading his life as India cricketer. Why not Pujara? Why is he not in the squad? Shouldn't the selectors try him and Badri before even thinking about Dravid for ODIs? Badri is either out or warming the bench and Pujara despite strong performances is way away from making it to the top.
With the world cup in 2011 nothing could be suicidal than carrying an unsettled squad into 2011. It could happen if Dravid makes the squad and performs well enough to remain in the squad for few more series'. I just wish this does not distract Dravid and he focuses on his test career and lengthening it with strong performances against SL in October 2009.
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17 comments:
He may be a slow runner but he is a better batsman than the others.
The 'young' players need practice and wisdom to match him.
Much as I admire and respect Dravid, this is one step forwards two steps back. In the Chappell era, we saw Raina dumped after South Africa and the selectors go back to Dada. Now, MSD having jettisoned Dada and RD in Australia, finds Dravid back in the probables. Perhaps the selectors intend to send a mesage to the Rainas and Rohits but instead they are sending a wrong message to Badri and the message is - 'sorry son. we do not notice you'
Its a retrograde step. Unless you let youngsters fight these battles how will they improve. Pity that Srikkanth and co. had to take this route when on contrary they should be asking Dravid to move out of Test arena as well.
yes bala...we do share common thoughts on dravid...and badri too...
this decision is not going to help anybody and what else it has shown the world that we have panicked at first instance...
i agree with you that they should have atleast tried the forever emerging players like badri... pujara... vijay etc before throwing in the towel...
i hope dravid call their bluff...by announcing retirement from all short forms of game...
How will youngsters improve unless they fight these battles? Very good question NM. In any case Dravid should focus on his test career, where his role matters more than in ODIs.
SP, panicking is the hallmark of BCCI and its selectors. Remember Rajsingh Dungarpur's open letter to Sunil Gavaskar in the aftermath drubbing against WI in 1988? He almost surrendered at the feet of Gavaskar, asking him to come out of retirement. It took more than a decade before we found stable opening pair but then going back to Gavaskar was not the answer. Though we lost him we gained Sachin in few years time though at a different position.
Youngsters must be tried and improved. What for we have the NCA and a director with a fat pay cheque? Even Sehwag had his trouble against short stuf. Hasn't he improved? They must try Pujara and Badri for a reasonable period before throwing in the towel.
On an afterthought, I am wondering whether all this is to neutralise Dhoni in some way? The vibes that we get see through media and press conferences isn't something to feel good about.
'sorry son. we do not notice you'
Well put Late Inswing. Not the kind of message one would want to get. But yes that's what the selectors are telling Badri, Pujara and Tiwary, three front liners to Indian team in 2006/07.
SP
If Dravid is in the 30's then he must be in the 15's otherwise you are sullying Dravid, which I doubt selectors will do. In that case they may already have spoken to him in order avoid any embarrassment. So in all possibility Dravid will accept the call and play.
Dravid gives the impression that he wants to continue playing test cricket otherwise he would have thrown in the towel during that England series when he was under terrible pressure from all corners. If he had carried on unmoved during that phase, it is highly unlikely that he will quit now after a good tour of NZ. In that case the last thing he would want to do is to upset the selectors. So Dravid is unlikely quit from shorter versions even if he wishes. But then for all we know, RD may be nurturing a wish to return back to ODIs. He cannot be faulted for that as that's his right. It's selectors who are to be blamed if the process of building a stable squad for WC 2011 is derailed.
nobody is blaming dravid for the mess selectors have created in one stroke...
its the selectors who have shown weak belly ala that south africa tour...
at the time when we actually should have been looking to phase out seniors to avoid mass retirements from tests we are going back in times and bringing them back in odi fold...specially in the year which is buildup of world cup 2011...
what an irony...
They must try Pujara and Badri for a reasonable period before throwing in the towel.
They don't have practice. Their elbow is at angles and their body balance is abrupt. They play how Dravid played when he was not scoring many runs. Despite the presence of a 'big' player in the team, their confidence relies solely on victories and not in cricket itself.
That's an interesting comment Kartikey. I tend to agree with body balance part of your comment that too especially in Badri's case. But then it happens to every player who crosses into a higher level. It takes bit of adjustment and time for people to overcome fresh set of challenges. Every one is not Sachin Tendulkar. We haven't seen Pujara at the highest level yet. This lad deserves the call more than any other player in India.
There are no doubts about Dravid's class or his ability to contribute with bat to the ODI side. But then that precisely is the problem. If Dravid plays on for a year from now then WC 2011 plans will get a hit. Surely others can play better than him in the Sub-continent and that is where the world cup is going to be held. Also Dravid is a liability in the outfield. It is in this background I feel going back to Dravid is a retrograde step. We should look beyond Dravid and even Sachin and that's the only way for the future of Indian ODI cricket.
their confidence relies solely on victories and not in cricket itself
So true. But then unless they go through a string of losses they won't realise it is cricket that is important. When they realise that they will start to withstand the pressure better and turn in good performances. Indian test team in late 90's learnt it this way and turned in good performances in early 2000's.
I still hope Dravid will opt out. He will die of suffocation in that Youngistan dressing room, man!
Excellent article Bala. You have said it all.
Much as I respect Dravid (and I'm enjoying his T20 cock-snooking along with Kumble's! :)), India had chosen to move on, no matter what. This is a retrograde step...not a retracing of path on course for correction.
Before it is too late, the best time to blood Pujara is slipping away.
Maybe MSD simply hates that boy along with BCCI and CoS.
I still hope Dravid will opt out. He will die of suffocation in that Youngistan dressing room, man!
:)
That "Youngistan dressing room" - Priceless!
Thanks SB. I just hope, if at all Dravid is selected, it's a move intended only for the Champions trophy and is replaced after CT irrespective of his performance in the tournament. Dravid can take it as a professional assignment where his skills are demanded and executes it to a 'T' and bids farewell, that is if he is selected. If it goes this way then yes I would love it and cherish the opportunity to see Dravid bat in colors for India for one last time.
I have to say Pujara is very unlucky. Had he been a Mumbaite, he would surely have made it by now. He should consider moving to TN for the coming season.
Is it possible that MSD dislikes him? But then it is possible MSD wants to protect some. I can't help thinking this way about Dhoni. It can't be good for Indian cricket if Dhoni is really like the way he is currently colored.
Dravid plays the rising delivery better than the two R's, he should play.
Mel, can't forget Dravid in NZ and SA when he was a new player in the team. For a long time he was the man who could play the short ball most convincingly in the Indian team.
But would you like to go back once you have set off in a direction for a year or so?
It is possible Dravis may be in the scheme of things for WC.
Dravid being back in the squad really sends out mixed messages to everyone.
1. If you play well, you can always make your way back.
2. Back is the keyword. :-)
I'm personally happy for Dravid (great player, great character and definitely not his fault that he was called up :-) ) but not quite sure what it means for the "hopefuls" such as Badri or Pujara. I haven't seen Pujara play, but all reports about him indicate that he is definitely one to watch out for. Perhaps this could have been a good platform to bring him in.
Tiwary- not sure what to think of him. After some big time scores a few years back and a selection into the test squad, he was injured and never had that chance that series. After that though , he has been rather quiet, and he definitely wasn't convincing at all in the T20s.
It's definitely going to get interesting (and perhaps messy).
You know Fark...yesterday Ganguly was saying the same thing about Dravid(and Nehra).
It is true that the best players should play...and perhaps Dravid will figure in 50-50 scheme of things but a policy decision (as long as it was well thought out) must also mean something.
Pujara...I have seen him play live as well. The lad needs to be IN the Indian team...plunge him in test matches...he'll serve you well. He'll do well in 50-50 as well. T20 is too unpredictable....anybody can succeed and anybody can fail.
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