Show Dravid Some Respect

2003

The Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team had opined that Dravid needed to push the envelope and contribute in two aspects of the game, as the team needed it dearly.

He was asked to don the wicket-keeping gloves so that India could play an extra batsman. Keeping wickets is a specialized job that demands both a specific skill-set and special physical fitness. Since it's impossible to acquire both overnight, Dravid went that extra yard, on and off the field.

Knowing Dravid and his penchant for excellence, it's easy to fathom the amount of work that must've gone into avoiding glaring mistakes through the World Cup. Not to mention that he needed to devote equal amounts of time, if not more, on his batting.

Wicket-keeping is one of the most difficult tasks in cricket and if given a choice, most players would refuse to assume that role. And if the player happens to be the senior pro in the side, his refusal is only a formality. But not Dravid, for he would happily give his right arm for the team.

2005

Dravid took charge as the Indian skipper and demoted himself to assume the role of a finisher. It's common knowledge that the best chance of scoring big runs in an ODI is to bat in the top three. The lower your order, the more chances of failing.

Since he was both the captain and a regular, successful number 3, nobody would have raised a stink about the exploitation of power. Dravid knew that greater responsibility comes with great power and allowed others to prosper under his reins.

2007

As he relinquished captaincy to sort out his batting, he was unceremoniously shown the door. He wanted to continue for a little while before passing the baton to the younger lot for the 2011 World Cup. He had intended to play till the Champions Trophy in 2009 in South Africa and then call it quits in the shorter format. He knew that he wouldn't be there for the World Cup and the team needed a couple of years to find the right combination. Unfortunately, he was denied that right. He didn't like it but didn't begrudge anyone either, for he was aware of the uncertainty in professional sports. He didn't stop to ask, but moved on.

2009

The Indian batting had looked a little frail and out of sorts during the tour of South Africa that year. Our young Indian crop of ‘talented' batsmen couldn't cope with the bounce and pace of South African pitches. Hence, an SOS call was sent to Dravid - the man for all seasons. He came, did what he's best at - score runs and save India from humiliation - only to be shown the door once we returned to Indian soil.

He'd worked as a stopgap arrangement. The team didn't need his watertight technique on docile Indian surfaces. Dravid quietly returned to Test cricket and added another dimension to his batting to succeed in T20 cricket at the IPL.

2011

It's been two long years since Dravid's last ODI and a lot seems to have changed. Team India has achieved heights that it hadn't seen hitherto, including the World Cup triumph. But nothing seems to have changed for Dravid. Once again, the young Indian batsmen have failed the test of bounce and swing in England, and selectors have gone back to Dravid. It's beyond doubt that he'll score runs. But I wonder if he'll be treated differently this time. Or would he be used and dumped again?

Dravid has given his heart and soul to Indian cricket; it's about time that we give him the respect he deserves. We can do at least this much for him.