Return Of The Wall
The Wall Resurrected….
A Dream Comeback….
Rebuilding The Wall ….
No…I haven’t not written a post on the greatest news of the month yet b’coz I was busy thinking up titles…
For those interested, I have been waging a lonely battle against crashing servers, helpdesks that have been sneaked off offshore without anyone having a clue and other such things for the last 3 weeks. And then recuperating. (And well, I haven’t really been MIA either. You can find some great works ala Megha here and here.)
IMHO RD should not have been dropped from the ODI team in the first place, but that is perhaps a discussion for another day. I can see a role for Dravid in the team. He can provide the stability that is required when the team loses early wickets. Or he can hold one end while the others have a license to hit away as and when needed. Dhoni can then revert back to his earlier batting days, come in at 6/7 and hit away with abandon. And it’s not as if Dravid cannot hit a few boundaries himself 
. Plus you get a good slip fielder, a part time wicketkeeper and all the wealth of his experience on the field. Not a bad bargain, is it?
Those worried about how Rohit Sharma’s and possibly Suresh Raina’s career would be ruined by this decision, and how this move is not keeping in mind the WC….well, the WC is barely 2 years away. I believe that both Sachin and Rahul can play in the WC. I assume they will hang up their boots after that. SR and RS are in their early 20s right now. So age is definitely on their side. Abhi nahi to 2 saal ke baad team me aa jayenge yaar…tab tak T20 khelo na…kisne mana kiya
When Sehwag comes back, the batting order could look like this –
Sehwag
Tendulkar
Gambhir
Dravid
Yuvi
Dhoni
Yusuf/Irfan (yeah..i still live in hope!!)
4 bowlers
See? It’s not that bad, is it?
And for those of you suggesting that the selectors have given Dravid an opportunity to retire with grace, and he will do so after the Champions Trophy, well…don’t say that! That’s not gonna happen..
No…that’s not gonna happen…right?
bingo megha
cudnt agree with u more. some support finally for greatest unsung hero of Indian cricket.
for sure RD has lot to contribute to the cause of India in ODIs and Tests…
[Reply]
Sam
18 Aug 09 at 6:00 pm
If Dravid's (and Sachin's) selection gains the younger bats (think Raina) some matches to mature into reliable batsmen by taking the pressure of leading the batting, it can only be for the good of Team India. If they imbibe his work ethic, even better.
[Reply]
adverbin
18 Aug 09 at 10:17 pm
It's such hope that assaults Irfan
[Reply]
Naked Cricket
18 Aug 09 at 11:36 pm
Dravid is not a long term solution for Indian middle order.He should be in team to give some important tips to younger middle order batsman and retire when it become stronger.
[Reply]
Vikas
19 Aug 09 at 12:22 am
more than happy with dravid returning to team i am unhappy on youngster who just could not shut the doors…
and then there were players like badri who was in west indies and without giving him chance the door is shut on him…and players like him…
[Reply]
straight point
19 Aug 09 at 2:44 am
Cheers Sam…if you ever need support for Dravid, you know where to find me
[Reply]
Megha
19 Aug 09 at 2:55 am
adverbin
True. While not everyone can be a Sachin or a Dravid, sometimes I feel that the art of constructing a one-day innings is lost on some of the youngsters. They need to watch and learn from the masters
[Reply]
Megha
19 Aug 09 at 2:59 am
NC
No no….it is the likes of Shabina who assault Irfan…me? I just gently nudge him to aim for greater glory
[Reply]
Megha
19 Aug 09 at 3:03 am
Vikas
How long is long term? And how would you juggle him and other middle order batsmen in the team?
[Reply]
Megha
19 Aug 09 at 3:08 am
SP
This policy of selecting and then dumping players without giving them a decent outing is a BCCI trademark. It has happened to players before, and it will happen in the future as well.
[Reply]
Megha
19 Aug 09 at 3:14 am
I;m so happy Dravid is back…….and I too hope Irfan finds his way back…….and soon….
[Reply]
Christopher Poshin David
19 Aug 09 at 7:08 am
Cheers Chris
[Reply]
Megha
19 Aug 09 at 9:07 am
Aha! Another female cricket fan from the technology fraternity. Saw your post on BCC! about female cricket fans. Great one, that!
Good to see another Dravid fan. It's sometimes hard to convince folks that we aren't a fan only because of the looks, isn't it?
As for Dravid's selection, yes, he should have been dropped when he was. Maybe this will help his Test innings's fluency as well.
[Reply]
vmminerva
21 Aug 09 at 11:10 pm
Nice post, Megha. How I wish someone could know when to click you – whenever you are about to know of RD's selection in the team – you cud easily become the brand ambassador of genuine happiness n sheer elation!
I too believe it's the right move, especially considering the fact that our CT team won't have Sehwag for starters..so we do need a solid top order fulcrum.
Another known secret is that our youngsters have come a cropper against the short stuff that almost every team will be strutting against us and we know with RD around, one end is surely safe.
The only thing is that the youngsters should take it in the right spirit – it shouldn't serve as a demotivator to players like Badri, Raina, Rohit, Pujara, Kohli, etc. – they need to be patient and assimilate the nuances as much as they can, before claiming their place under the sun.
PS: I hope RD plays well enough for you to write another post titled "A Dream Comeback"
[Reply]
Shailesh
22 Aug 09 at 6:12 pm
Welcome vm and thanks for the appreciation
Good to see another Dravid fan. It's sometimes hard to convince folks that we aren't a fan only because of the looks, isn't it?
How true!! It's not our fault that he is such a good looking fellow and plays awesome!
About him getting dropped…i thought it was a bit harsh…i suppose the team could have carried him for another series or so before he found his form back…but anyway…really really glad that he is back and hoping he will stick around for the WC
[Reply]
Megha
23 Aug 09 at 9:31 am
Hey, thanks Shailesh! Nothing like watching another glorious innings from the man…genuine happiness and sheer elation for sure
Hope he lives up to all the hype I've created around him and does well!
Glad we agree that his return is the right move. I too hope the younsters take this in the right spirit and that the BCCI provides them with the support they need to hone their skills. They will get their chance for sure.
I hope RD plays well enough for you to write another post titled "A Dream Comeback"
Aap ke mooh me ghee-shakkar
[Reply]
Megha
23 Aug 09 at 9:42 am
Christmas came early for you this year, eh? I'm glad RSD is back as well.
[Reply]
Subash
25 Aug 09 at 9:23 am
You bet Subash!
[Reply]
Megha
25 Aug 09 at 3:04 pm
nice blog
here is my blog
Live soccer score
[Reply]
mohsin
29 Aug 09 at 5:37 am
See, Megha, that's another thing we have in common. You like Rahul Dravid almost (not quite, but almost) as much as I do.
[Reply]
Pyramix
13 Sep 09 at 7:51 am
Pyramix, next thing you'll be telling me that you are a F.R.I.E.N.D.S. fanatic too! are ya??
[Reply]
Megha
13 Sep 09 at 11:26 am
Seen every single episode. Quick, how many of his friends has Ross kissed? Set up a timer.
[Reply]
Pyramix
13 Sep 09 at 2:30 pm
Every one of them!!
[Reply]
Megha
13 Sep 09 at 2:32 pm
Hats off to ya! When I was asked that question, I had to correct the questioner that Ross had indeed frenched all of the rest, including his sister.
Now how about that pic?
Pratik
[Reply]
Pyramix
13 Sep 09 at 2:38 pm
tbh I had more trouble remembering the Chandler one
and hey, I gave the sahi jawab which means I get a reward, not you
[Reply]
Megha
13 Sep 09 at 2:47 pm
Oh I forgot to mention, I'd make room for Raina in that team. I believe he's a huge talent. Probably in place of Pathan.
[Reply]
Pratik
18 Sep 09 at 5:59 pm
Pratik
What would the batting order look like then when Sehwag and Gambhiir come back? Raina at 6/7 would probably not be justice to him n i'm afraid he might end up the Kaif way then…
[Reply]
Megha
20 Sep 09 at 1:24 pm