Melbourne: If there was muted criticism of the move to promote Rahul Dravid as India's opening batsman till today, the voices opposing that decision are now getting louder. Dravid has looked reluctant to play that role but he may have little choice left.66 agonising deliveries had got Rahul Dravid a mere 5 runs before Stuart Clarke put him out of his misery. But for the out of form Dravid, there is little chance in the near future of a return to his preferred slot at number three."Not always are you going to strike the ball the way you want to. Sometimes the balls are also not in the areas where you can put them away comfortably. You just have to fight it out and it was one of those days when both the openers had to fight it out. But it is not the first time that it has happened in Test cricket. There are some wonderful spells which you have to play out. Today was one of those cases and it is pretty normal. No complains against the openers," said Sachin Tendulkar. Dravid has cut a forlorn figure in Australia so far. He is no longer captain, has been dropped from the One-Day team and has now been asked to front up against the world's best new ball attack. He offered bravado when asked if he was keen on the job but its hard to miss the edge in this response."I have batted all my career in different positions and if the management at this stage feels that the best chance for us to beat Australia on this tour is for me to do that (opening the batting for India) then I will do that," Dravid had said before the start of the first Test match in Melbourne. Less than six months ago, Dravid led Team India to a series win in England. Now in hushed tones even the unthinkable is being said. If Dravid fails again in Melbourne and in Sydney; he may face a spell on the sidelines. Just like the legendary Bill Ponsford at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rahul Dravid too will go down in history as one of India's greatest batsmen. But what has been a remarkable career, he now faces a career defining moment. He needs to establish his credentials as an opening batsman. Friday, December 28, 2007
Dravid needs to establish his credentials again
Melbourne: If there was muted criticism of the move to promote Rahul Dravid as India's opening batsman till today, the voices opposing that decision are now getting louder. Dravid has looked reluctant to play that role but he may have little choice left.66 agonising deliveries had got Rahul Dravid a mere 5 runs before Stuart Clarke put him out of his misery. But for the out of form Dravid, there is little chance in the near future of a return to his preferred slot at number three."Not always are you going to strike the ball the way you want to. Sometimes the balls are also not in the areas where you can put them away comfortably. You just have to fight it out and it was one of those days when both the openers had to fight it out. But it is not the first time that it has happened in Test cricket. There are some wonderful spells which you have to play out. Today was one of those cases and it is pretty normal. No complains against the openers," said Sachin Tendulkar. Dravid has cut a forlorn figure in Australia so far. He is no longer captain, has been dropped from the One-Day team and has now been asked to front up against the world's best new ball attack. He offered bravado when asked if he was keen on the job but its hard to miss the edge in this response."I have batted all my career in different positions and if the management at this stage feels that the best chance for us to beat Australia on this tour is for me to do that (opening the batting for India) then I will do that," Dravid had said before the start of the first Test match in Melbourne. Less than six months ago, Dravid led Team India to a series win in England. Now in hushed tones even the unthinkable is being said. If Dravid fails again in Melbourne and in Sydney; he may face a spell on the sidelines. Just like the legendary Bill Ponsford at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rahul Dravid too will go down in history as one of India's greatest batsmen. But what has been a remarkable career, he now faces a career defining moment. He needs to establish his credentials as an opening batsman. 