Anchor of India: Rahul Dravid
By Amit M, 22 June '03
June 22 2003
Recognized unanimously as one of the best batsmen in the world, Rahul Dravid may be underrated by Indian fans in the midst of superstars. But India's reliance on this steady-as-a-rock performer is indisputable, and Down Under this year they will need him more than ever.
To succeed in international cricket, a batsman needs talent, technique and temperament. Talent provides the flair and technique the base, while temperament separates the Sachin Tendulkars from the Viru Sehwags. Talent brings joy, but technique and temperament bring security. Watching Sachin Tendulkar bat is akin to lighting a rocket: something spectacular is going to happen, but it might also explode in your face. Risk is fine, but stability is a different matter.
And that is where Rahul Dravid’s story begins. For seven years he has been the sidekick, the supporting actor, always there and never faltering. Against England last summer, Sehwag had played a nonexistent shot (big surprise there right?) and brought the world’s best No.3 batsman to the crease. Dravid received a fiery bouncer first ball, and calmly ducked under it. Now, fans could breathe easy. Whether playing a perfect forward defensive shot, or swaying out of the way when bowled a scorching bumper, Dravid is a living coaching video.
But brilliant technique by itself won’t get you many runs. Hunger and determination will. Dravid has walked out to bat 118 times in test matches, most of the time at No.3 within the first hour of play. Every single time he has put the price of diamonds on his wicket, something even golden boy Sachin Tendulkar has trouble doing. There is an indestructible spirit in The Wall, an overpowering dedication to the team that never backs down.
"I have batted at one, three and six. If Sourav and John ask me to carry the drinks on to the field, I will be glad to do that.” So said Dravid after proving all his doubters wrong with an epic century in the historic Kolkata test. Dedication like this is unheard of indeed.
All this adds up to a batsman who possesses the highest average for a No.3 batsman since that overrated Aussie fellow Donald Bradman.
It is in overseas matches that The Wall really becomes The Fortress. When wickets are grassy and leather's coming dangerously close to shearing off a batsman’s nose, Dravid is at his very best. Yes, you read that correctly. Sachin Tendulkar is not India’s best batsman overseas, that label belongs to Rahul Dravid. Dravid has had to come in regularly before the score has reached double digits. India’s astonishing innings victory on a paceman's paradise in Leeds last year would have been impossible had Dravid not buckled down on the first day and provided a platform for Ganguly and Tendulkar to wreak havoc on the 2nd day. In fact, this man from Karnataka has a higher average abroad than the Little Master himself!
Although Dravid’s value is obvious in Test matches, he hasn’t done too badly in ODIs either. It was Dravid who donned the gloves for the One Day team, thus allowing the highly talented Mohammed Kaif a path into the team. Since this transition from No.3 batsman to wicketkeeper and middle-order batsman, Dravid’s limited-over batting has reached a new level. His cool, collected temperament and quick running helped forge a match winning partnership with Yuvraj Singh during India’s encounter with Pakistan in the world cup.
It has been said many times but bears repeating: the truth is that Rahul Dravid is the most underrated player in the Indian team. In a team full of flair and risk, Dravid provides the anchor that holds it all together. The tour to Australia is in a few months, and Rahul has some scores to settle.