Rahul Sharad Dravid is the most selfless cricketer India has ever seen.
He sacrificed everything for the team's cause.
Consider this. Hailed as the technically correct batsman, Dravid has averaged around 60 at the No. 3 position. The figure is better than any other batsmen in the game's history (barring Bradman).
But Dravid batted at No. 4, 5 and even at 6 positions - only to give more opportunity for the youngsters (for team's cause: euphemism).
He never stood against the team management's wishes. Instead, he gleefully accepted each and every challenge that came his way.
He even relinquished the coveted captain's cap when he could have continued at the position for one more year.
Here’s Dravid, the most selfless cricketer of our time.
Raw Deal
But the former India captain got a row deal from the BCCI selectors recently.
They dropped the unassuming cricketer and roped in a struggling Sehwag for the first two one-day internationals against Pakistan.
True, Dravid has not been among the runs in the recent one-day internationals against Australia.
He scored only 51 runs in the five innings against Ponting and Co., the top score being 31 at the second ODI in Kochi.
The out-of-form Dravid was dropped for the final ODI in Mumbai.
He averaged less than 10 in his last 10 one-day matches.
He sacrificed everything for the team's cause.
Consider this. Hailed as the technically correct batsman, Dravid has averaged around 60 at the No. 3 position. The figure is better than any other batsmen in the game's history (barring Bradman).
But Dravid batted at No. 4, 5 and even at 6 positions - only to give more opportunity for the youngsters (for team's cause: euphemism).
He never stood against the team management's wishes. Instead, he gleefully accepted each and every challenge that came his way.
He even relinquished the coveted captain's cap when he could have continued at the position for one more year.
Here’s Dravid, the most selfless cricketer of our time.
Raw Deal
But the former India captain got a row deal from the BCCI selectors recently.
They dropped the unassuming cricketer and roped in a struggling Sehwag for the first two one-day internationals against Pakistan.
True, Dravid has not been among the runs in the recent one-day internationals against Australia.
He scored only 51 runs in the five innings against Ponting and Co., the top score being 31 at the second ODI in Kochi.
The out-of-form Dravid was dropped for the final ODI in Mumbai.
He averaged less than 10 in his last 10 one-day matches.
Judging Dravid
But you cannot judge Rahul Dravid based on his performances in a series or a couple of matches.
Because he is the most consistent Indian batsman, with a tremendous aggregate of 10,000 runs.
Because 'The Wall' has toiled in the middle and helped India build big totals in many an innings.
The Selectors' Mindset
It seems that Messrs Vengsarkar and Co. is not at all aware of the need of a consistent player in the middle.
So they have picked five openers for the first two ODIs.
Except Sachin, nobody is competent, in the chosen line-up, enough to play big innings in the middle.
If you examine the composition of other leading sides, you can make out the difference.
Younis and Yousuf are there for Pakistan; Jacques Kallis for South Africa; Mahela Jayawardene for Sri Lanka. They all provide the much-needed backing in the middle.
Unfortunately, talented middle order batsmen are absent from the Indian side, thanks to the 'analytical skills' of the Indian selectors led by former captain Dilip Vengsarkar.
The flawed selection process will definitely cost India dear against Pakistan. Let's wait and see.
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