Rahul Dravid : The Wall

[podaskie]

@ littlemaster1982


thanks for sharing dude :clap:

[VinodKumar's]

The roaches of the game
Players who would survive bio-hazard disasters, nuclear war and Judgment Day
Jarrod Kimber
February 3, 2010

If the apocalypse were to come tomorrow, most of us would be dead. But if Hollywood has taught us anything it is that people always survive. While Kallis, Ponting and Dhoni wouldn't make it, there would be cricketers who would. And it isn't always the most popular or talented who survive the end times.

Nathan Hauritz cannot be killed by bombs or global pandemics. This is a man who couldn't get picked for his state side, averaged over 50 with the ball in first-class cricket, and now averages 30 in Test cricket. There are no weapons that can keep him down. After the apocalypse he would just roam the earth with that sweet little boyish face of his.

Ashish Nehra went through a career apocalypse, but he is back. I wouldn't bet on him struggling to survive a worldwide nuclear war. He'd still have that look on his face too, the one that makes you wonder if he has any joy in his life. He'd be in a group that lives in Euro Disney; his role would be of the angry one who doesn't trust anyone, but he'd be rubbish at catching food.

Kumar Sangakkara would make it through. Then, after an appropriate period, he would take over the world. Artists would carve images of him, people would refer to him as King Kumar, and he would be a fair and just leader. His leadership does have problems, but his suaveness and massive intellect mean he would run the world for at least six years. Until he wants to relax and travel.

Ian Bell can never be killed. Regardless of an apocalypse he is going to be around forever. Still looking good and not making runs. In a dystopian wasteland he'd still manage to find his way into a well-stocked mansion, with others doing the work to make up for him. Even when the whole group dies of food poisoning, Bell survives. He is like a mythical creature that way.

Brendan Nash would not only survive an apocalypse, he'd prosper. Once the world had settled, Nash would move to a new location and just tell them he was always one of them. There would be hostility towards him at first, and mild curiosity, but eventually in this new and desperate land he would come in handy and people would even start to love having him around.

Paul Harris would survive. He might mutate a bit, but like a cockroach or a tax officer he cannot be eradicated. Harris will quickly improvise and become an expert scavenger and sell his goods at a reasonable price, considering the location he lives in.

The New Zealand cricket team would remain okay. They would be watching Eagle v Shark in Chris Martin's basement when the flesh-eating disease spreads rapidly across the planet, killing everyone. Upon exiting the basement they would have some good times and some bad times, but basically they'd just survive. Even though 90% of the world's population is dead, their crowd numbers in Test matches stay the same.

Rahul Dravid would never even notice the apocalypse. When the aliens came to kill everyone on the planet with their sonic weapons, he was batting. As we know, when Rahul is batting, nothing can stir him. Even two years after the apocalypse he is still out there, marking his guard, trying to get the sight screen to be moved and planning for what field the captain will set for the next ball.

[VinodKumar's]

yethavathu eluthanumnu eppdilam yosikiraangapa :rotfl2:

[VinodKumar's]

Indian players sleeping in flight journey

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAD75ARhHs-kooaiJrp70r3CgQEuntn4ooH6sF1_PwOddtIQ2JVenq5Xh6Ej3 y7EK7dt4l1oFh0xX1ZTcdlHBMrQAm1T1UI6XrczgWdASaLf5Gy HMZy3ONOVR.jpg

Rahul and Kaif

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WO5M-ngM5Vk/S22LWrTAHzI/AAAAAAAAAUc/SNNwjKlpGfo/s400/20320.jpg

:redjump: :redjump: :redjump:

[Aalavanthan]

Indian players sleeping in flight journey

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAD75ARhHs-kooaiJrp70r3CgQEuntn4ooH6sF1_PwOddtIQ2JVenq5Xh6Ej3 y7EK7dt4l1oFh0xX1ZTcdlHBMrQAm1T1UI6XrczgWdASaLf5Gy HMZy3ONOVR.jpg

Rahul and Kaif

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_WO5M-ngM5Vk/S22LWrTAHzI/AAAAAAAAAUc/SNNwjKlpGfo/s400/20320.jpg

:redjump: :redjump: :redjump:

ennadhaan batting style bowling style fielding style ellam different-aa irundhaalum, nammaalunga thoongumbOdhu orae style thaan.. aaaaa nu thhoongaraaiyinga .. adhuvum pakkathula air ghostress ellam pogumbodhu

[podaskie]

Fixed calendar can save Tests in India - Dravid


http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/449624.html

[VinodKumar's]

Thalaivar charity match la bowling poturukaar pola :redjump:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_b74lvkjddu4/S5NrBN2wymI/AAAAAAAAAFA/eoTk-Og1w80/s400/Image0631.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:deea637c52]Sports star:Take the case of Rahul Dravid
Test, the ultimate test

Test cricket undoubtedly draws on the deepest emotions of the players and supporters alike, creates the biggest rivalries and provides by far the most intense of matches. The future of Test cricket is not in doubt, write Hughie Andrew Pike and Alexander Charles Gordon Lennox.
Harbhajan Singh, India, World No. 1 team, Eden Gardens, electric atmosphere, one wicket to win, nine balls of the five days left… Nothing can better a moment like this in cricket. The passion shown by the Indian players upon not only winning the match, but, even earlier, after each wicket that they took, proved that for the world’s top cricketers Test matches are still the real thing.
As we move into a new decade where people are said to be motivated by money rather than their enthusiasm for the game, where the next generation of cricketers are said to believe that an IPL contract is a more worthwhile short-term goal than striving for the ‘ultimate’ goal of playing for the country at the highest level, Test cricket is still vibrant.
While there is no doubt that the advent of Twenty20 has provided cricket a shot in the arm, one cannot deny that Test cricket is the ultimate test of a player’s skills, as Richard Hadlee said.
Hadlee himself is a staunch believer in the dominance of Test cricket and was one of the great players of his time, the type of player that will never be seen again if Test cricket were to be cast aside for a shorter, more naive version of the game. It’s not only in the T20 matches that you find exciting, match-winning individual performances; situations in Test cricket too could demand from players an innings or a spell that one would find in a T20 match or a one-day international. Say for example Adam Gilchrist’s blistering 57-ball hundred under Ashes pressure.

This is where the thrill seekers of cricket can find the excitement which they crave. But Test cricket also adds that extra dimension of the defensive game which requires bowlers and batsmen alike to control their respective skills to try and overcome all that is thrown at them. Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 123 off 394 balls, spanning over eight hours, provided huge excitement despite the lack of glittering fours or glorious sixes, and there is no doubt that with Kolkata’s sun setting on the day and the match, everyone supporting India or South Africa or neither were on the edge of their seats.
The beauty of Test cricket is not only the brilliant individual performances but the nature and environment in which they happen. In both Twenty20 and one-day cricket there is scope for great efforts, but not truly great efforts that can only be achieved through application, powers of concentration and prolonged periods of performing at the highest level.
Jim Laker’s 19-wicket haul at Old Trafford in 1956, Harbhajan Singh’s 32 wickets in the 2001 series against Australia, Brian Lara’s mammoth efforts in scoring not one, but two world record innings, all display the credentials of truly great individual performances. And they were all performed in Test cricket.
Test matches allow enough time for memorable duels to be built up between teams and players, and between the great bowlers and the great batsmen. Admittedly, T20 is still young but as yet, there is not enough time in this format for duels to develop.

In the shorter versions of the game, you would never find a duel like the one that took place between Michael Atherton, one of the great English batsmen, and Allan Donald, who was at the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings at the time, at Trent Bridge in 1998. Those who say that Test cricket is dying complain these duels no longer occur. But one only needs to look back at Dale Steyn versus Sachin Tendulkar in the Nagpur Test recently. The way the South African, resembling a great fast bowler of old, worked the Little Master over in a spell of incredible swing bowling sent out a message that Test cricket was well and truly alive.
In Test cricket all-round team performance is very valuable with each player having to perform. In a one-dayer or T20, an individual performance can win a match for a team as Brendon McCullum, with his knock of 158 not out off a mere 73 balls in the inaugural match of the IPL (2008), showed. It was undoubtedly a heroic personal achievement, but the match had already been decided as the Kolkata Knight Riders batsman was walking back to the pavilion to a standing ovation from the crowd.
In contrast, for example, was the India-Australia Test at Eden Gardens in 2001. Forced to follow on and seemingly with no hope left in the series, India still managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

In Test cricket there is nowhere that a player can hide. Many players who perform consistently in T20 cricket and one-day internationals struggle to make the transition to Test cricket where they are often exposed. Yuvraj Singh, a destructive cricketer who has proved his worth in one-dayers and T20 as a class player, has an average of only 35 in Tests, which is very low for someone of such immense talent. The reverse, however, appears to be not true.

Take the case of Rahul Dravid, if you have watched him in a Test match you would be forgiven for thinking that he would not be effective in the ODIs, let alone T20. But he is a player who has appeared in 339 ODIs for India, scoring 10765 runs with 12 centuries and 82 half-centuries. He also has a strike rate of nearly 120 in T20 cricket. Dravid’s success is not due to big hitting, but his skill that has been developed over years of playing Test cricket.


The dwindling spectator interest for Test matches in certain nations is a cause for concern. The situation could get worse as the lucrative T20 scene grows. In India many people seem to be swaying away from the five-day game.
But the recent Test match between South Africa and India at Eden Gardens and the atmosphere that it created is something that cannot be replicated in the other formats of the game. It showed that true fans, when a Test match goes down to the wire, will turn out in large numbers to watch their country do battle.
In England, however, there is no such concern as tickets for Test matches are sold out weeks in advance regardless of the teams playing, which is an encouraging sign for the future of Test cricket in the land.
Though people are worried about the future of Test cricket, it is a fact that the shorter versions of the game have helped Test cricket as it has become more exciting and the skills of the players have increased. Test cricket undoubtedly draws on the deepest emotions of the players and supporters alike, creates the biggest rivalries and provides by far the most intense of matches. The future of Test cricket is not in doubt.

source: http://www.tssonnet.com/stories/20100318502102800.htm
[/tscii:deea637c52]

[VinodKumar's]

Kevin Pietersen aided by Rahul Dravid advice
Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen paid tribute to India batsman Rahul Dravid after returning to form with a knock of 99 on day one of England's first Test in Bangladesh.

The batsman has only one century since 2008 and has struggled in South Africa and the warm-up games in Bangladesh.

But he said a phone call with Dravid this week has helped turn his form around as England ended play on 374-3.

"I spoke with Rahul and his advice was spectacular. I'd have taken a 99 before play, so today was special," he said.

"I have worked so hard, especially this week, and I have genuinely absolutely loved it.

"I suppose I felt under pressure in terms of the way I play left-arm spin because it's troubled me the last few weeks. I knew I had to work it out - the top three bowlers in the world are left-armers and with umpires happy to give you out lbw on the front foot now I've had to adjust things.

"I've had plenty of time to speak to (England team director) Andy Flower - a great player of spin - in the nets and he's helped. And speaking to Rahul, another amazing player of spin, was a huge help.

"I've played with Rahul for (IPL outfit) Bangalore, I've played a lot of Test match cricket against him and in two weeks I'll be spending a month with him (at the IPL).

"It's great to spend time speaking to people like that and he's helped a heck of a lot. Little things like where my hands were, where I put my feet, what areas I wanted to hit into. He gave me a couple of tips he uses and it really worked out great.

"I've made a slight adjustment, put hours in in the nets and sweated more than I've sweated through my entire career and that's paid off.

"Sometimes you have to work on your game harder than at other times and that hard work paid off today - 99 is better than nought," he added on BBC Radio 5 live.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/8564090.stm


________________________________

:notworthy: :smokesmirk: :notworthy:

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:f79872d9e4]West Indies v India, 4th Test, Jamaica, 2006

Thou shalt not pass

Rahul Dravid gives a lesson in the art of defence on a minefield of a pitch with the series at stake

I don't remember this innings vividly. I wasn't even in the press box for most of it; instead I was sipping Appleton rum near the point boundary and talking to Ray Wynter about his rebel tour to South Africa.

There was a series at stake, but on this steamy July afternoon, Sabina Park was anything but tense. The music blared and the fans jived. The party kept getting louder.

Out in the middle, on a pitch that appeared to have landmines buried on a good length, Rahul Dravid was waging a war. Ducking, weaving, blocking, watching partners come and go, jabbing, leaving, ducking, weaving…

Jerome Taylor used lightning speed - I couldn't spot the ball in mid-air - to create thunder off the pitch. At the other end was Corey Collymore, hitting a near-perfect length and luring the drive. Both VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh fell for the bait.

Watching from the point boundary, I could see how still Dravid was at the crease, waiting till the last moment before reacting. With every ball he seemed to be waiting a fraction of a second longer; but the later he reacted, the more decisive he appeared.

When at the non-striker's end, he wasn't his usual shadow-practising, jumpy self. He simply leaned on his bat and stood calm, his sweaty shirt fluttering in the wind.

On a day where every other batsman - Lara, Laxman, Sehwag, Chanderpaul included - shrivelled, Dravid was beaten, hold your breath, once. And even on that occasion he softened his grip so the edge wouldn't carry to first slip.

Two overs after cleaning up MS Dhoni, with a straight ball that kept low after it hit a crack, Taylor hit the same crevice. Dravid, though, was ready, bolting the bat down ramrod-straight and patting it down the ground. Taylor stood transfixed. The wall had turned fortress.

He would keep out another 36 deliveries the next morning before missing a shooter. Back in the dressing room, having chiselled out two monumental fifties in the game and put India on the verge of a historic series win, he would curse himself for not getting the bat down in time.

A match-winning captain's hand in the second-innings of a historic away-series deciding Test on a minefield. Now beat that.

- Siddhartha Vaidyanathan


http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/450892.html[/tscii:f79872d9e4]

[VinodKumar's]

RCB vs MI - March 20 2010 IPL 3

Rahul's catch :clap: :clap: :victory: :victory: :clap: :clap:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNo81DQyM1g

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul's speech after the second game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZrbKgZR8H0&feature=player_embedded

[tamizharasan]

Pakistan's comment against the article regarding dravid. (http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/voices/the-worst-sachin-arguments)




Permalink
if pakistanis need to find reasons for intellectually despising indians, their treatment of dravid stands out as a primary example.

comparing tendulkar to dravid is like comparing speilberg to wes anderson. sure the former got all the awards and the box office hits, but when you watch the latter, you get a feeling of pure auteurship (not sure that's a word, but you get my flow).

had we been blessed with one dravid we would have ripped the cricket world apart. but instead, we are cursed with watching him play for our nemesis who don't even appreciate what they have. the shame, the horror!



IMO Dravid should have never played cricket for India.

[ajithfederer]

Vengaaya comparision. I don't even want to talk more. Yendha vennai idhellam eludaradhu.

Pakistan's comment against the article regarding dravid. (http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/voices/the-worst-sachin-arguments)


Permalink
if pakistanis need to find reasons for intellectually despising indians, their treatment of dravid stands out as a primary example.

comparing tendulkar to dravid is like comparing speilberg to wes anderson. sure the former got all the awards and the box office hits, but when you watch the latter, you get a feeling of pure auteurship (not sure that's a word, but you get my flow).

had we been blessed with one dravid we would have ripped the cricket world apart. but instead, we are cursed with watching him play for our nemesis who don't even appreciate what they have. the shame, the horror!

[tamizharasan]

Vengaaya comparision. I don't even want to talk more. Yendha vennai idhellam eludaradhu.

Pakistan's comment against the article regarding dravid. (http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/voices/the-worst-sachin-arguments)


Permalink
if pakistanis need to find reasons for intellectually despising indians, their treatment of dravid stands out as a primary example.

comparing tendulkar to dravid is like comparing speilberg to wes anderson. sure the former got all the awards and the box office hits, but when you watch the latter, you get a feeling of pure auteurship (not sure that's a word, but you get my flow).

had we been blessed with one dravid we would have ripped the cricket world apart. but instead, we are cursed with watching him play for our nemesis who don't even appreciate what they have. the shame, the horror!



So calling dravid as ordinary is a good comparison.

[ajithfederer]

I just didnt say that. Comparing Tendulkar to spielberg in itself is a blasphemy and again in comparision with dravid is another stupid thing.

[tamizharasan]

I agree with you AF. Tendulkar is great beyond any doubt, even better player than Bradman. But calling Dravid as ordinary is definitely great insult to him. Look at his knocks against various countries in tests, who will call him ordinary except some Indians maybe.

[VinodKumar's]

I agree with you AF. Tendulkar is great beyond any doubt, even better player than Bradman. But calling Dravid as ordinary is definitely great insult to him. Look at his knocks against various countries in tests, who will call him ordinary except some Indians maybe.

Tamizharasan,

Every Indian who follows crickets knows about Dravid and his worth. But public ku bayanthukitu velila kamichakka mattanga. Athaan prachanayae.

[Nerd]

Enna public? enna kaattalai? :lol:

adhaavadhu avar better than sachin and saying this loud will earn the wrath of majority of cricket lovers i.e. sachin fans right? :lol2:

[tamizharasan]

Enna public? enna kaattalai? :lol:

adhaavadhu avar better than sachin and saying this loud will earn the wrath of majority of cricket lovers i.e. sachin fans right? :lol2:

No Nerd. Comparisons are unwarranted. I have just quoted Pakistani's fan comment on the same page with respect to insult of Dravid on that article.

[VinodKumar's]

I got a text from Rahul [Dravid] saying 'Congratulations, and in my time it was called vice-captain.'

Ross Taylor recalls receiving a message after being named New Zealand's standby captain two months ago

[VinodKumar's]

Royal Challengers Bangalore were inspired by their bowlers and a delightful half-century from Rahul Dravid in a seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders that propelled them to second place in the points table. In front of a boisterous crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the teams served up an exciting encounter that, for much of its duration, retained the frenetic flow that Twenty20 was meant to provide. Kolkata's big names blazed with the bat but their performance was undermined by some crafty bowling in the middle overs. Bangalore's successful chase combined Dravid's conventional touch with Robin Uthappa's ruthless flourish to seal a morale-boosting victory and leave Kolkata struggling in the bottom three.

Anil Kumble's decision to field had been prompted by Bangalore's good track record while chasing at the Chinnaswamy and his batsmen didn't let him down. But the victory had been set up by a combined effort with the ball which redressed the damage caused by poor spells at the start of Kolkata's innings.

In conditions favouring swing and movement, Praveen Kumar and Dale Steyn had dragged the ball too short and provided much width that Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle dealt with harshly. Sixty-one runs came in the Powerplay, the highest for Kolkata this IPL, and they had got there through a series of cuts, pulls and drives that their opening pair used with relentless regularity. Jacques Kallis, too, bowled short and was slashed by Ganguly over third man and Kumble, expensive in his first over, was late-cut for four.

But Vinay Kumar sparked a turnaround, and his show contained everything that Bangalore lacked in the first half of Kolkata's innings. He varied his pace well and used the bouncer to good effect, a ploy that had worked wonders against Rajasthan Royals when they had been shot out for 92 but one that Bangalore hadn't used consistently. A slower ball accounted for Ganguly who pulled straight to square leg, and Angelo Mathews was induced into mistiming one to point off a short delivery. In between, Kallis had undone Manoj Tiwary with pace as he miscued a pull to be caught. Three wickets had fallen for two runs in nine balls, and Bangalore had snatched the momentum.

Throughout his knock and amid the slide, Brendon McCullum had threatened to overcome Bangalore's revival, sweeping and pulling Sridharan Sriram for 18 in an over, and frustrating Vinay with edges over and past third man. But Kumble, who recovered brilliantly to emerge as Bangalore's most economical bowler, had him caught in the deep and Steyn's fiery pace, mixed with Vinay's accuracy at the death restored Bangalore's advantage.

Dravid has hardly been noticed this IPL, with Kallis' success at the top and the power-packed batting of Uthappa and Virat Kohli often resulting in him dropping down the order. Short of opportunities, and after the early departure of Kallis, Dravid kept Bangalore's chase on track, rarely ever attempting a rash stroke and finding the boundary with ease, relying on timing than power and using the pace of the ball.

Three fours from Ishant Sharma in an over underlined the ease with which he scored. A full delivery was guided late past third man, a short delivery was cut hard through point and a slower ball was met with a firm push to the straight boundary. A break in the trend was a swung six off Ajit Agarkar over long-on, but as if to reinforce his original approach, the next ball, a half-volley, was driven over the cover boundary for six. Dravid had consistently struck the ball through the line, and he holed out doing the same, lofting a slower one off Mathews.

By the time Uthappa took off, Bangalore were 103 for 2 in the 14th over and favourties to wrap up the game. Having changed the course of two games this IPL, against Punjab and Chennai, both at home, in the matter of an over, he sought to shut out Kolkata with a brutal assault. He cleared his left foot to flat-bat a six off Mathews and reserved much of the treatment for Mendis, who was reverse-swept for two sixes, interspersed with a slog-sweep through midwicket. He and Ross Taylor combined to smote 62 in under four overs, rush Bangalore to a thumping win and distance themselves, for now, from the mid-table scrap for the final four.

http://www.cricinfo.com/ipl2010/content/current/story/455525.html

[VinodKumar's]

Match Meter

Dravid takes charge: After the early loss of Kallis, Dravid scores a delightful half-century. He smacks Ishant for three fours in an over, and Agarkar for two sixes.

[VinodKumar's]

When Heroes Return

A by-product of being a cricketer in India in the 90s and after is that no matter what you do - make runs, take wickets, lead the team - you are always going to be living under the giant shadow cast by Sachin Tendulkar's mighty deeds.

From the time he enraptured a nation as a 16-year old, there has been only one favourite of Indian audiences.

In the event, it is sometimes overlooked that two of India's greatest match-winners have played and fought in the same era as the little Master. Anil Kumble has undoubtedly been India's greatest bowling match-winner - and if one goes by the oft-quoted dictum that batsmen only save matches but bowlers win them - then Kumble has simply been India's greatest ever match-winner.

And Rahul Dravid has been so good with the bat, that he has allowed the rare off-days that Tendulkar has had to not matter, and indeed at his peak, been as prized a wicket as Tendulkar's - especially in Test matches.

For someone who has long-admired Kumble and Dravid, it was very satisfying to see both of them shine so brightly for Bangalore against Kolkata. It would have been a perfect evening if Sourav Ganguly had shone too - but then one can't have everything!

When he came on to bowl in the 7th over, Anil Kumble ended up giving away 10 runs. Five of those were via a wide down the leg-side that was completely uncharacteristic of Kumble. Whatever be his age and however often he picks up a cricket ball these days, it is deeply ingrained in the psyche of cricket-watchers that Kumble shall keep things tight, that Kumble shall not bowl bad balls.

It is apparently, as deeply ingrained in the man's psyche as well. His next 3 overs went for just 7 runs. At the end of each of those remaining three overs, Kolkata's run-rate was above 8 runs an over, and yet Kumble conceded only singles. That's right - after bowling the ball that went down the leg-side for 5 wides, Kumble did not let the batsmen take more than one run off him on any ball. In a Twenty20 match, that is outstanding. In a Twenty20 match in which the opposition is going at 8 an over in spite of such figures, it is incredible.

The efficiency that Kumble displayed with the ball was mirrored by Dravid with the bat. Retaining his classical technique, Dravid tore apart the Kolkata bowling, and he did it at a time when Bangalore's main run-scorer had fallen cheaply and a rookie was struggling to force the pace at the other end. In fact, for the first half of Bangalore's innings, it was solely due to Dravid that the required run-rate was not allowed to mount to any seriously alarming proportions.

He ended up with 52 off 35 balls, but the remarkable thing about the innings was the low percentage of dot-balls he faced. He failed to score off just 11 deliveries, which means that he scored off close to 70% of the deliveries. It was a clinical demonstration in the art of building an effective Twenty20 innings for someone who does not hit sixes the way a Robin Uthappa does.

Incidentally, Brendon McCullum - an acknowledged valuable player in Twenty20 cricket and Kolkata's highest scorer on the night - made 45 off 36 balls, and he scored off less than 50% of the deliveries he faced (17).

Vinay Kumar took more wickets than Kumble did, and Robin Uthappa hit more sixes and scored faster than Dravid did, and both young men are fine cricketers, but both will be the first to acknowledge that if it wasn't for the efforts of Kumble and Dravid, their jobs would have been much tougher.

As they have often done while playing for India or Karnataka together, Jumbo and Jammy laid a wonderful and solid platform, and then sat back quietly satisfied and watched their team win the match.

[raghavendran]

rcb struggled with the no.3 postition this ipl...adhukku sondakarar vandapparam avangalukku nallagalam vandhuduchu...dravid was gr8...he is better than kallis..remeber ipl 1 ...against delhi..dravid and kallis would have a long partnership...dravid would b more attacking than kallis...the wall ...is the best

[Plum]

Actually, Kallis has been hurting Bangalore at the to except for a few innings in the beginning. Atleast twice or thrice, his lethargy at the to has resulted in bangalore losinga and the worst part is he never tried hitting out until the match was lost in these occasions. That's where dravid differs and he is a team man. He won't care for orange caps and 50s - he will start hitting out if he is 30 off 25 balls instead of waiting until he reaches 50 off 45 balls by when the match is lost.

[Kalyasi]

Actually, Kallis has been hurting Bangalore at the to except for a few innings in the beginning. Atleast twice or thrice, his lethargy at the to has resulted in bangalore losinga and the worst part is he never tried hitting out until the match was lost in these occasions. That's where dravid differs and he is a team man. He won't care for orange caps and 50s - he will start hitting out if he is 30 off 25 balls instead of waiting until he reaches 50 off 45 balls by when the match is lost. :exactly:

[Appu s]

Dravid :clap: :bow:

[raghavendran]

Actually, Kallis has been hurting Bangalore at the to except for a few innings in the beginning. Atleast twice or thrice, his lethargy at the to has resulted in bangalore losinga and the worst part is he never tried hitting out until the match was lost in these occasions. That's where dravid differs and he is a team man. He won't care for orange caps and 50s - he will start hitting out if he is 30 off 25 balls instead of waiting until he reaches 50 off 45 balls by when the match is lost. :exactly: :exactly: :exactly:

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:4c275480ee]Kallis on Dravid

I wonder how different the selection process would be for national teams if the opinion of the opposition was taken into account. How many players would make a national squad on the basis of the respect they command from their opponents rather than from the selection panel?

All I can tell you is that I’m relieved that Robin Uthappa won’t be lining up for India against South Africa at the ICC T20 world cup which starts almost immediately after the IPL. I’m disappointed for Robin on a personal level, of course, but I’m completely baffled and bewildered at how the Indian selection panel could ignore one of the cleanest strikers of a cricket ball I have ever seen. And I’ve seen a few.

Once again, his bat seemed to be all middle on Saturday night against KKR and he made what might have been a tricky chase seem absolutely straightforward. Winning with a couple of overs to spare helped with the net run rate and that might still be important in deciding semifinal places. Like every other team, we are aware that winning games is all you need to concentrate on doing. If you win games, then a healthy, positive net run rate will be a natural result. I gained as much satisfaction watching Rahul making a half-century as I did watching Robin smash the bowlers all over the stadium. In many ways, the greatness of Dravid has been overshadowed by the fact that he has played his whole career alongside Sachin, but at least he is not alone in that regard. We are all in Sachin’s shadow, inside and outside India!

Like most batsmen with a reputation for solid defence, Rahul has a wonderful attacking game which he has simply tempered in the interests of the team. A lot of us would love to play more shots in every format of the game, but we play for the team and we set out to bat for a long period of time because we are able to do that.

So for me to get the chance to open the batting and Rahul to get the chance to hammer a half-century from 35 balls is a heck of a lot of fun! We can’t all hit the ball like Robin, but I’d like to think that we’ve done more than enough to end the flippant comments about the Royal Challengers being a Test team.[/tscii:4c275480ee]


Courtesty : Times Of India ( Bangalore Edition )

[VinodKumar's]

RCB vs DC 12 April 2010 Match Meter

Smooth Dravid: In the eighth over, Dravid creams Harmeet for successive fours in an over which costs 15. Bangalore need only 91 more from 12

[VinodKumar's]

RD among featured speakers at SportAccord Convn.
Dubai: Legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid will be among the featured speakers at SportAccord International Convention 2010 in Dubai.

Dravid, former captain of India's national team and a star of the Indian Premier League, which has emerged sensationally as one of the world's richest professional sports competitions, will be the subject of a special interview session during the prestigious event from April 25-30.

The SportAccord Convention, as a forum, acts as a vehicle for drawing conclusions from the experiences of countries that are developing systems and provisions for sports.

It is important for decision-makers in the sports field to constantly be present at such gatherings in order to exchange ideas and experiences on both serious issues and topics of interest to the sports community.

Source: http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/dravid-among-featured-speakers-at-sportaccord-convention-1.613484

[VinodKumar's]

We never needed any middleman

Dravid on Sachin @ Mumbai Mirror

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5818/0801a.jpg

Before getting a call-up for the Indian team, I had played a couple of matches against Sachin Tendulkar in the Duleep Trophy and in the Wills Trophy. When I entered the Indian dressing room, Sachin was already the vice-captain of the team, a known face and a great achiever.

We were of the same age but he had already been part of the team for seven years. He was star, one of the most recognisable faces in world cricket.

I grew up watching and reading about him. My Karnataka team-mates Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath were playing with Sachin and they would narrate stories about him. For a newcomer like me it was a huge thrill to share the dressing room with a player of his class. I learned so much by observing his work ethics.

First we played together as players. Then I played under his captaincy, and later he played under my captaincy. But let me tell you that the equation never changed between us.

Together we have won so many matches that it has been truly satisfying. Winning against the unstoppable Australians lead by Steve Waugh, winning in Australia, playing well to reach the 2003 World Cup final, and even our first ever Test and ODI series win in Pakistan were memorable.

Much was said about me declaring in the Multan Test when Sachin was batting on 195. The decision was not personal; it was taken in the team's interest, directed at team goals. Whatever transpired was just between the two of us.

On the third day of the Test I went to Sachin's room. We sat together, chatted, and the matter was sorted out. Sachin, being such a great team man, was always ready to give more than 100 per cent for its cause.

That is the kind of trust and understanding we have between us. Whenever we have an issue, the openness has always been there. We never needed any middleman to sort it out. We have always relied on a face to face talk. I also appreciate the balance that Sachin has struck both on and off the field.

Honestly, in India it is not easy to be Sachin Tendulkar. The kind of fan following he has is mind-boggling. Sachin still has the drive to improve. He is too focussed as far as cricket is concerned.

It's a tribute to the man that he retains the quality after 20 years. Phenomenal achievement by a phenomenal person - that is what Sachin is.

[VinodKumar's]

Its an old article. Summa pottaen :mrgreen:

[littlemaster1982]

[html:83ea144c82]http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5818/0801a.jpg[/html:83ea144c82]

[VinodKumar's]

:ty: Master

[ajithfederer]

:thumbsup: :).


http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5818/0801a.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid dresses up a model under Sharuk's guidance
(http://www.royalchallengers.com/chief-photographer/dravid-dresses-up-a-model-at-ipl-awards-under-srks-guidance)
:lol:

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid with his Son 8-)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BreBI8j7aRg/S-bThzfJ5YI/AAAAAAAAAAU/0OewKeP8_LQ/s400/baap%20n%20beta.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:8a68830004]Yuvraj’s form a window for Dravid?

India’s disastrous run in the World T20 in the Caribbean and Yuvraj Singh’s indifferent form might have opened a window of hope for Rahul Dravid’s inclusion back in the limited overs side, according to sources. Some of the selectors are seriously mulling over bringing the former India skipper back to the ODI fold with an eye on next year’s World Cup, according to a source in the BCCI. “Yuvraj Singh looked out of sorts in the Caribbean,” a selector told The Sunday Express on conditions of anonymity. “He is a talented cricketer but he is not doing justice to his talent — maybe he needs to return to the drawing board.”

According to the selector, the left-hander could get the axe for next month’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, and that might open up a slot in the middle order. “Asia Cup is going to be the litmus test for the team,” he said, “and after the Caribbean debacle, the young players will be under pressure. So experience is needed to calm the nerves, and also help (skipper) Mahendra Singh Dhoni in decision-making.”

Dravid, according to the selector, is “still in our scheme of things as far as ODIs are concerned. I should say he has a fifty-fifty chance of returning to the team for Asia Cup.” Incidentally, Dravid was brought back to the ODI squad after last year’s World T20 but was dumped after just two series despite a couple of good knocks in the Champions Trophy.

:sigh2:[/tscii:8a68830004]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/yuvrajs-form-a-window-for-dravid/619460/

[VinodKumar's]

Flash Back

[tscii:d42f22ec19]Want to make it big in cricket? follow Rahul Dravid, says Sachin
Nov, 11, 2003!


“He (Dravid) is a perfect role model for youngsters. He has set a great example for all of us to follow. We are all trying to follow that path,” Tendulkar told cricket fans after releasing a biography on Rahul Dravid, authored by sports writer Vedam Jaishankar, at a function here today.

“He is a solid batsman and one of the top players of the world who I really admire,” Tendulkar said, adding that the first time he saw Dravid was in 1994-95 at Rajkot when a common friend Amol Mazumdar, pointing to the Karnataka lad, said “He is the one to watch out for... he is going to get runs and is going to make it big”.

“Then I had said, he is good. We have to see him. Now the whole world has seen him,” said Tendulkar to applause from the audience, including Sadanand Vishwanath, Venkatesh Prasad and Dodda Ganesh.

All praise for Dravid’s dedication and sacrifice for the game, Tendulkar said the vice-captain was “very sincere and very honest”!!!

Dravid, who recalled Tendulkar’s game in an under-15 tournament at Cuttack in 1986 where he scored a good knock for West Zone against South Zone, said Tendulkar’s standards were what he had set for to be a good cricketer.

“I still remember coming from Bangalore to Cuttack as a 13 or 14 year old hotshot..... scoring a lot of runs in school cricket, thinking that I was a very very good cricketer. But then I saw the young boy (Sachin) from Bombay... he was absolutely brilliant,” Dravid said.

“I realised that day I really wanted to play cricket and I wanted to be a good cricketer and these are the standards I have to set for myself,” he said, pointing out that these were some of the tidbits mentioned in the biography.

Admitting he was “totally embarrassed” by the appreciation showered by speakers, including sports writer Suresh Menon and St Joseph’s School Principal Father Michael John SJ, Dravid said a lot of things had been exaggerated over a period of time.

“If you do some things nicely or well, by the time you are 30 years old, you make it sound that you have done absolutely fantastic. All these things said about me by a lot of people are possibly exaggerated, so when you read this book, read everything with a pinch of salt,” he said. How Modest He Is !

Father John said Dravid was a loyal friend and a great ambassador who visited the home of the Aged or Spastics Society to meet children whenever he had the time.

“There are young people here who can take him as a role model. A role model with tremendous achievement and hard work,” he said.

“Rahul Dravid: A Biography” has been published by the New Delhi-based UBS Publishers Distributors Pvt Ltd. — PTI

Courtesy - Orkut community[/tscii:d42f22ec19]

[VinodKumar's]

Today,The 11th anniversary of first ever 300 runs partnership by any pair for any wicket between Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly ..they set a new world record for the best partnership in ODIs, of 318 runs at Taunton against Srilanka...which was bettered by Dravid and Tendulakr in the same year on nov 8th at Hyderabad

From Orkut community.

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul's Biography First page with his Autograph. 8-)

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1687/ogaaaouvxggtn9nq9iv8qfl.jpg

[littlemaster1982]

[html:d1a1d826de]http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1687/ogaaaouvxggtn9nq9iv8qfl.jpg[/html:d1a1d826de]

[VinodKumar's]

:ty: Master.

[podaskie]

VinodKumar, thanks a lot for ur updates :P

[VinodKumar's]

VinodKumar, thanks a lot for ur updates :P

It is my duty Podas.

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul's best catch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJCMvL5ZDOo

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid in tears :cry2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_WBSNxPR3I

[VinodKumar's]

Star Cricket show About Rahul - Nice one

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yhmlp4cDh8&feature=related

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgdX8V9GWTo&feature=related

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L22to7KF5U&NR=1

Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYli5pjhRic&feature=related

:notworthy:

[ajithfederer]

http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283514.html

Highest overall partnership runs by a pair

Dravid - Tendulkar (3rd highest) :thumbsup:

[VinodKumar's]

Test matches are rare these days. Otherwise they would be at the top.

[VinodKumar's]

RCB Rahul Dravid Vignettes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A350ergYed4&feature=related

[VinodKumar's]

Quiz -

In which match Tendulkar acted as a runner for Dravid ?

(I guess it happened only once)

[littlemaster1982]

Quiz -

In which match Tendulkar acted as a runner for Dravid ?

(I guess it happened only once)

Vs Pakistan in Independence Cup, 1997?

[VinodKumar's]

Quiz -

In which match Tendulkar acted as a runner for Dravid ?

(I guess it happened only once)

Vs Pakistan in Independence Cup, 1997?

:exactly: :clap:

[VinodKumar's]

Simply The Best: Rahul Dravid

In the third and the final match of the series At Rawalpindi, Dravid stroked a masterly 270 to take India to a historic test series win over Pakistan.

Tensports Interview with Dravid on his journey to become India's most reliable test batsman.

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGEdgKULDp0

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddIOkevM7Co

Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwjZqXDGKwI


Unfolded collar Dravid :smokesmirk:

His back foot drives and a long off six :notworthy:

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid as WicketKeeper in ODI's

Matches - 73

Runs - 2300

Highest score - 145

Average - 44.23

Hundreds - 4

Catches - 71

Stumping - 13

Without any doubt he is the first best Wicketkeeper batsman for India :smokesmirk:

Before Dravid the best WK's batting average was 23.27 (Dighe)

Still he stands second only next to MSD.

[VinodKumar's]

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main43.asp?filename=Ne281109coverstory.asp

Nice old article on Dravid :clap: :clap:

[littlemaster1982]

Good article, but I felt there was too much of comparison between Sachin and Dravid. It was unnecessary as Dravid is a great player on his own.

[VinodKumar's]

Good article, but I felt there was too much of comparison between Sachin and Dravid. It was unnecessary as Dravid is a great player on his own.

Yeah, I also felt the same.

[VinodKumar's]

Eoin Scores a Ten out of 10

EOIN MORGAN admits it feels "weird" to be hailed as a key man in England's Ashes defence by legend Sachin Tendulkar.

The Irish left-hander, Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann were identified as the most significant players on this winter's visit Down Under.

Morgan, 23, could hardly believe his ears that Indian hero Tendulkar had hailed him in such glowing terms - after all, he has played just two Tests and made scores of 44 and 37.

He said: "It's a bit weird for someone of Sachin Tendulkar's stature to say something like that.

"For him to mention my name at all is fantastic, a bit remarkable to be honest.

"I learned a huge amount from watching players like him in the Indian Premier League earlier this year.

"We had players like Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in my team in Bangalore and watching them practice, prepare and in match situations was an education." England take on Scotland on Saturday and then face five one-day matches against Australia - their final games against the oldest enemy before the Ashes battle begins in November.

It is another chance to gain a psychological advantage following England's victory over the Aussies in the World Twenty20 final last month.

Morgan added: "Now is a good time for us to play Australia. There's a lot of confidence in the camp."

Eoin Morgan supports the ASDA Kwik Cricket competition involving 130,000 primary schoolchildren across the UK.

www.asda.com/kwikcrickethttp://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/cricket/3015678/Eoin-Morgan-It-feels-weird-to-get-Tendulkar-praise.html#ixzz0r07wHFwC

[VinodKumar's]

India can handle Mendis - Dravid

Rahul Dravid is confident India can handle the threat posed by "mystery spinner" Ajantha Mendis on the tour of Sri Lanka next month. Mendis tormented India's batsmen in 2008, taking 26 wickets in what was his debut series, as the home side emerged 2-1 winners over three Tests.

Dravid said India had figured out Mendis over the last two years and should be able to play him well. "He is still a good bowler," he told reporters. "He was completely new to us when we toured Sri Lanka last time. He got the measure our team last time, there is no doubt about it. He played a major role in the series. But hopefully, we have learnt our lesson.

"I think we played him pretty well when he came to India. We learnt how to tackle him. Having said that international bowlers keep on improving, international bowlers come up with new tricks every time. But hopefully we will have the answers [to] whatever Mendis throws at us this time."

Mendis played just one Test on Sri Lanka's tour of India last year, taking two wickets while conceding 162 runs.

The last time Dravid played international cricket was in January, when he scored an unbeaten century against Bangladesh in the second of two Tests. Injury ruled him out the subsequent series against South Africa, but he was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team that finished third in the IPL. He said he needed a little time to get back into the rhythm of Test cricket.

"Sometimes, it is little bit of challenge to return to Test cricket after a long break but there is preparation time in Sri Lanka. I am looking forward to some match practice before the series."

However, Dravid said the break from cricket was good for him and he has been training hard over the last six weeks to get ready for the tour. He predicted a close contest between two rivals who have seen a lot of each other in recent times.

"Sri Lanka is a very formidable team and they play tough cricket at home. In the last two times we travelled there, we won a Test match but did not win the series. It is a positive sign to win a Test there but it is now important for us to keep that performance going right throughout the upcoming series.

"It is going to be a challenge but we have got a good team. We have got bowlers who are capable of taking 20 wickets, which is important to win a Test. If we can put runs on the board, hopefully we will have a good series."

Galle will host the first Test, which kicks off on July 18, while the next two matches will be held in Colombo, at the SSC and the P Sara Oval. The second and third Tests are between July 26 and 30 and August 3 and 7 respectively.

http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/current/story/465032.html

[VinodKumar's]

We know how to tackle Mendis: Dravid

Ajantha Mendis created havoc when India toured Sri Lanka in 2008 but Rahul Dravid hopes this time around he and his colleagues are better equipped to tackle the 'mystery' spinner in the forthcoming Test series beginning in Galle next month.

Mendis demolished the famed Indian batting line up in his debut series two years back by capturing 26 wickets to help Sri Lanka beat India 2-1 in the three-Test encounter.

But Dravid feels that the Indians have mastered the mystery spinner and hoped for a better showing from his team-mates in the forthcoming series.

"He (Mendis) is still a good bowler. He was completely new to us when we toured Sri Lanka last time (in 2008). He got the measure our team last time, there is no doubt about it. He played a major role in the series. But hopefully, we have learnt our lesson," the former captain told reporters at the launch of the 2010 Limca Book of Records.

"I think we played him pretty well when he came to India."

"We learnt how to tackle him. Having said that international bowlers keep on improving, international bowlers come up with new tricks every time. But hopefully we will have the answers whatever Mendis throws at us this time," Dravid said.

Dravid also predicted a challenging three-match series against the islanders which begins with the first Test in Galle on July 18.

"Sri Lanka is a very formidable team and they play tough cricket at home. The last two times we toured them, we won a Test match but did not win the series. It is a positive sign to win a Test there but it is now important for us to keep that performance going right throughout the upcoming series," he said.

"It is going to be a challenge but we have got a good team. We have got bowlers who are capable of taking 20 wickets, which is important to win a Test. If we can put runs on the board, hopefully we will have a good series," the right-hand batsman added.

Asked about his own preparation for the series, Dravid said, "I would not need to make any particular adjustments in my batting for the series. I have been training and preparing for the last six weeks keeping in mind the series."

"I got a good gap after IPL and it has given me time to be with my family and do a bit of physical training. It was a good break for me but now it's time to get back to cricket. He, however, agreed that it would be a challenge for him to return to Test cricket after such a long gap."

"Sometimes, it is little bit of challenge to return to Test cricket after a long break but there is preparation time in Sri Lanka. I am looking forward to some match practice before the series," Dravid said.

Dravid also said that Yuvraj Singh, who makes a return to the national team, will answer his detractors in the series.

"Yuvraj would be keen to do well and prove a point. I think we will see the best of him in the series," Dravid said.

The former skipper disagreed with the notion that his shoes would be difficult to fill in once he quits international cricket.

"Without naming anyone, I would like to say that there are plenty of players ready to take my place. Abundance of young talent is coming through," Dravid said.

Meanwhile, Dravid congratulated ace shuttler Saina Nehwal, who won three consecutive international titles in a span of three weeks to jump to the third position in the world rankings.

"It is phenomenal achievement by Saina. She is a great inspiration for a lot of Indians. It is incredible to win three competitions in three weeks in a sport like badminton which is physically very tiring. She has set benchmark for a lot of youngsters," he said.

Dravid had also some thought regarding the poor standard of refereeing in the ongoing football World Cup in South Africa and said it is high time that FIFA take the help of technology to make the game better.

"It is a world class event and such a big event. When so much riding is on each of these games, I think there is room for technology. The world body (FIFA) should think about it," Dravid, a die-hard Brazil fan, said.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/27674/We-know-how-to-tackle-Mendis--Dravid

[VinodKumar's]

Same interview from other sources

Indian Express - http://www.indianexpress.com/news/we-are-better-equipped-to-tackle-mendis-dravid/639514/1

Hindu - http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article490427.ece

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul Dravid, Kiran Karnik new Limca People of the Year
New Delhi, June 28, 2010

Cricketer Rahul Dravid and IT czar Kiran Karnik were on a list of Indian achievers named in the Limca Books of Records, 2010, unveiled here on Monday in three languages.

The achievements covered a wide range of disciplines ranging from physical feats, sports, creative arts, environment, business and social interest projects in 21 chapters with photographs.

The book launched in 1990 has 10,000 feats and 6,000 new records in this edition.

Six eminent Indians -- Anand Mahindra of Mahindra & Mahindra; Rahul Dravid, former captain of the Indian cricket team; Kiran Karnik, former president of NASSCOM; Anjolie Ela Menon, leading contemporary artist; Justice J.S. Verma, former chief justice of India; and Lalitha Regi, human rights activist -- and Shankar Netralaya, leading non-profit eye care institution, were declared Limca People of the Year.

The achievers of the year were chosen by MP H.K. Dua and professor Dipankar Gupta. They were introduced by host Barry O'Brien.

Bangalore-based scientist Ramesh Babu, the holder of 39 Limca records since 1991 - the highest so far - was presented two tickets for the FIFA World Cup final in South Africa to be played July 12.

The feats are amazing. Sample this: 10-year-old Yash Mukhija, the youngest among three generations of professional magicians has been performing complex tricks blindfolded since he was two-and-half years old.

Yash, who has 25 magic acts in his repertoire, can cycle, play cricket, assemble toys and pass thread through the eye of the needle blindfolded.

G. Lele of Pune has collected 40 letters from different heads of states in a period of two months between March and May 2009 while former Union minister Arjun Singh's biographer Vihsnu Rajoria holds the record for the longest biography of the politician in eight volumes. Such milestones are galore, each more difficult than the other.

"India has a minefield of talent and we try to recognise their talent in the Limca Book of Records. The compendium over the years has become a valued source of infotainment celebrating the achievements of Indians," said Atul Singh, president and CEO of Cola Cola India that publishes the volume.

The special television capsule on the book made by Siddharth Kak and team by National Geographic under its heritage series will premiere globally in a couple of months.

The publisher plans to host Limca Book of Records Quiz across 100 schools in the country involving 3,500 students to promote knowledge and foster the spirit of innovation.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Rahul-Dravid-Kiran-Karnik-new-Limca-People-of-the-Year/Article1-564464.aspx

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii]Unswerving Mr. Dependable’s 14 Years of Test Cricket

This will be a no comparison, no-nonsense article regarding a cricketer who gave his heart and soul to Indian cricket, Test cricket in particular (since he has completed fourteen Test Cricket years).

What would you call a cricketer who lives under the shadow of others despite excelling at the international level in a sport’s prime format (or the real Test as they call it)? I will call him Rahul Dravid. Despite scoring runs consistently in both formats, he still is considered lesser than many of the IPL-generation kids by many. Here, no talks on the shorter formats, let’s talk about his fourteen wonderful years to Indian cricket.

We always talk about grabbing each opportunity, however small it may be. It once happened that a specialist batsman had to make a debut batting at number 7, and guess what, unlike many others who would have fretted and cursed their luck, he made it count. Soon, he was moved to number 3 through sheer performance and hard work. Slowly and steadily, he cemented his place and went on to become the one of the best batsmen ever to play at number 3.

Often coming when the openers fell quickly, and playing innings like only he can, consistently. But it’s not just about number 3 and number 7. When the team had trouble finding openers, he opened. Not as successful as he has been at other positions, he has still been decent considering the record of openers in India during the time he played. The second highest opening partnership record with Virender Sehwag in Pakistan is one of the highlights along with the infamous Sydney Test where he was already under a lot of flak for the last test but scored a stable fifty in the first innings, and continued it into the second innings to score forty odd when Umpire Bucknor horrified everybody with the leg before wicket caught.

He has also succeeded at the Sachin Tendulkar position in the team, playing at 4 when either Sachin was injured or a night watchman batted at 3. In 2006, at Sabina Park, Kingston, Rahul Dravid played historic innings winning a series in West Indies. He was the man of the match and man of the series, rightly so. He was brilliant. An innings on a minefield of a pitch made Chris Gayle and Brian Lara his fans. Gayle commented that ‘Dravid can play like me, I can’t play like him’. Lara said ‘If I have to put anyone to bat for my life, it’ll be Kallis or Dravid’. Anil Kumble provided solid support to this great batsman during that innings.

Other noteworthy innings at number four are the eighty-eight against England at Mohali, where Sachin batted at five and Kumble played as night watchman at three. Another innings was at Galle, where his sixty odd in second innings went into lost cause because nobody else scored. His only hundred in losing cause, hundred and fourteen against Zimbabwe at Harare sports Club also came at four. This match, he top scored in both the innings, yet India failed to beat the Zimbabweans.

The only position in top 7 where he hasn’t played much is number 5. Out of the 10 innings, not much to show except a fifty odd and a hundred forty odd unbeaten, in a drawn Test where only four days play was possible. But if in 10 innings he could score a hundred, it shows the adaptability to any position.

Number 6, we all know the magical Kolkata innings, hundred eighty. It was one of the best partnerships in history of Test Cricket, and will be one of India’s most glorious moments ever. No wicket to Warne, McGrath and co. on the fourth day of a Test match at Eden Gardens is really rare, and it takes cricketers of rare quality to achieve the feat.

Of the twenty-one record wins by Sourav Ganguly as captain, Rahul Dravid averages above hundred. This is the highest average in wins under any captain by anybody in Test Cricket. The highest catches by a non-fielder, not anybody could have managed that. Indian slip cordon is still safe when it comes to fast bowlers, and as a result often Dravid has been moved to second, third slips, and even gully and further. But the slip position to spinners, Rahul Dravid is the king along with Mark Waugh (to Shane Warne) and Mahela Jayawardne (to Muthiah Muralitharan) as contemporaries.

But he has often been there at slips when two or even three spinners have bowled in a match, varying from the accurate and quick Kumble (who has injured a lot of wicketkeepers in his career from Saba Karim to MSK Prasad to Nayan Mongia to Parthiv Patel), to the turning Harbhajan Singh (remember the early part of the previous decade?) to the orthodox Murali Kartik to the unpredictable Sachin Tendulkar, and many more.

The early part of his career went fielding in the silly point regions, and other close-in positions. He took some blinders there, especially one off Javagal Srinath where he dived judging the ball accurately within a second, and took it handsomely. Also, one lightning quick run out where he fielded the ball at silly mid-on from his left arm turned the ball to right and threw an accurate throw to the keeper. Had it been anyone else, he would have thrown immediately with left, giving batsman a lot of time due to inaccurate throw. But he is Rahul Dravid; presence of mind is brilliant, which is visible everytime he walks to the crease.

What Rahul Dravid is to Indian Test Cricket in particular can be gauged from the fact that despite a year or two of ordinary performances (strictly by his standards), he was still in the team while he was removed from ODI team despite getting man of the match barely nine innings back, and doing well enough to select himself among the top three batsmen in the team (we’ll come to that sometime later, that’s a different story altogether).

Though we have Sachin Tendulkar, we had Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly, we have VVS Laxman, we have Virender Sehwag, we have Harbhajan Singh, we have Zaheer Khan, and we have had many others who have been part of time off and on, but either form or fitness has kept them away from the team for long periods at times, but this man Rahul Dravid has been out of the Test team only twice due to fitness (never on form), and holds the record for second most consecutive Test matches played after Adam Gilchrist.

Form, consistency, patience, hard work, never-say-die attitude, fitness, ability to shift gears when needed (example Rawalpindi innings where he didn’t care for a three hundred but was scoring runs quickly for the team), playing for the team always (though some calculation errors, or poor performances made it look otherwise at times, especially against Australia 2008 and England 2006), brilliant catching, razor-sharp reflexes behind the wicket (slip position), etc, make him a legend without doubt.

Though he doesn’t often outshine his partners in either departments, mostly due to lack of flamboyance, his career has been a perfect example of teamsmanship. Yet, the irony, only when you judge him individually you understand the impact he has had. Last fourteen years, home and away, one of the most important success factors of Team India has been Rahul Dravid. It’s like a paint advertisement, which shows the paint is fine in cold, hot, and rains, all the places. Rahul Dravid is one such consistent performer, everywhere. India is number 1 in Tests, and he has had a huge role

Raghav Gautam

http://theviewspaper.net/unswerving-mr-dependable%E2%80%99s-14-years-of-test-cricket/

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul in unicef advertisement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYg8VTmdgsY

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid, the unsung hero - An old article

http://sify.com/sports/Dravid-the-unsung-hero-imagegallery-cricket-jlxkmvidcdg.html

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid Express his view on IPL, Test Match at MCC

Expressing serious concern over Test cricket's dwindling profile, including in India, the Marylebone Cricket Club has called for immediate introduction of day/night matches, besides asking the Cricket Boards to guard against players turning twenty20 freelancers.


"We should not delay in presenting day-night Test cricket as an option for those Test-playing countries that are struggling to attract an audience," John Stephenson, the MCC assistant secretary, said. "We say this form of the game is viable now. We proved it in Abu Dhabi with the four-day game under lights. It was the perfect experiment, and demonstrated this game should go ahead now. We don't need another 18 months of research. The world of cricket is ready. It should not wait; the time is now," he said in a statement after a two-day meeting of the MCC World Cricket Committee at Lord's.


The committee, which has former India captain Rahul Dravid as one of the members, discussed a research paper which showed that only 11 per cent of cricket watched in India was Test matches compared to 33 per cent six years ago. It said Cricket Boards will have to make the five-day format more attractive with greater rewards on offer to ward off the threat of players becoming T20 freelancers.

"With T20 riches on offer, the committee feel national governing bodies should do all that they can to retain their best talent and ensure Test cricket is a financially rewarding career. There are freelance cricketers who see a profitable career in playing shorter forms of the game only; the committee wants to guard against an increase in their number. The committee understands that market forces will always dictate what type of cricket spectators want to watch and that you cannot force people to watch Test cricket. Cricket authorities around the world need to make a more concerted effort to attract audiences to Test cricket: a World Test Championship, played by well-rewarded cricketers - on fair pitches - at a time of the day to suit the paying public, would provide the Test game with the boost it requires."

Dravid informed the committee that India will play an increased number of Tests in the coming months after efforts from BCCI and other cricket authorities. "Dravid presented his thoughts after three years of the Indian Premier League to the Committee and how the IPL franchises have learned to maximise their brand, reach new markets and become profitable ventures," the statement said.

"He was, however, concerned that parents of talented children were asking coaches to teach them Twenty20-specific skills only, as rewards of an IPL contract are immense. He also talked about how the IPL has changed the training and coaching methods of players, with an IPL contract being seen as a crucial target for aspiring Indian cricketers," the statement added.

Dravid felt that, while the occasional player has emerged as a Twenty20 specialist, the best performing IPL cricketers are those with the skills to play all forms of the game and who can adapt to all match situations. The committee said it was vital that Test match pitches offered a fair balance between bat and ball to maintain interest levels.


"MCC's research from India, New Zealand and South Africa, published in November 2009, showed that the cricketing public in these countries wanted to watch day/night Test cricket and were strongly in favour of a World Test Championship," the Committee said.


"Fairer pitches, such as the ones England recently encountered in South Africa - which offered bounce and some assistance to the bowlers - rather than in Bangladesh - which were low, slow and batsmen-friendly - would also help to improve the game as a spectacle."


Former Australian captain Steve Waugh was one of the committee members advocating the pink-ball revolution. "I think it would be great. There's always resistance to change because it takes people out of their comfort zone, but I think back to World Series Cricket back when I was a kid. It ignited the spark among the spectators, and as players it's exciting. Like Twenty20 cricket, it would be something new and challenging, and as a player I'd really embrace that."

http://www.hindustantimes.com/MCC-for-D-N-Test-concerned-over-low-Test-attendance-in-India/Article1-566965.aspx

[Sourav]

one man army...vinod... :rotfl2: intha thread sutthu vattram 10 kiloometerrrukku orutharaiyum kanom unnai thavira.... irunthalum kadamai thavarama dootti paakkura paaru...anga nikkura nee.... :bow:

[VinodKumar's]

one man army...vinod... :rotfl2: intha thread sutthu vattram 10 kiloometerrrukku orutharaiyum kanom unnai thavira.... irunthalum kadamai thavarama dootti paakkura paaru...anga nikkura nee.... :bow:

:evil: rendu postuku munnadi ithuku bathil irruku.

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii]The writing on the wall

Famously known as ‘The Wall' and ‘Mr. Dependable', and Padma Shri awardee, former captain of the Indian cricket team Rahul Dravid on Indian youngsters, IPL, and cricket's future

He is acknowledged as a selfless cricketer. Famously known as ‘The Wall' and ‘Mr. Dependable', he is the only Indian batsman to score back-to-back centuries in a World Cup. Strong in front of his opponents on the field, he is a very shy and down-to-earth person off it. The 2000 ‘Wisdon Cricketer of the Year' and Padma Shri awardee, Rahul Dravid, former captain of the Indian cricket team, was felicitated recently along with six other luminaries, for his achievements by Coca-Cola at the launch of the 21st edition of The Limca Book of Records at the NCUI Auditorium, New Delhi.

Excerpts from the interview:

You have been out of action for quite sometime now. You were absent in the Champions 20-20 league and the Asia Cup. What kept you busy?

I am enjoying life right now. I am not in the best of my form right now and that is why I didn't show up at the tournaments. Player selection is totally a decision of the selectors and they would decide what is in the best interests of the country. The youngsters are performing very well right now. The current combination (of the team) is showing pretty good results. The recent success at the Asia Cup final stands witness to that.

Any plans of a comeback?

I am looking forward to the upcoming India-Sri Lanka Test series starting from July 18. I am quite positive about playing in it.

You are known as Mr. Dependable in the world of cricket for your consistency. But, this dependability is seldom found in youngsters these days, . One day they perform outstandingly well, the other day they fail to do so, very clearly illustrated by the Indian team in the Asia Cup, when they fared very poorly and went down against Sri Lanka in the league match, and then thrashed them in the very next match, the final. What are views on that?

Cricket is a game of luck and chances. Sometimes luck is not on your side. The toss, weather conditions and pitch could decide a lot in and against your favour. Youngsters are producing very good results. Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Praveen Kumar… they are all doing well and delivering consistent performances.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have improved a lot since the inaugural edition of the IPL — they entered the finals in the second edition and semi-finals in the third. What would you like to say?

The RCB players have been working hard since the first edition. We have got really good players like Jacques Kallis, Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa and Dale Steyn, who always perform and deliver good results.

T-20 cricket is widely considered the game of the ‘young blood' and pinch hitters. But, Anil Kumble appeared in the top five wicket-taking bowlers list, and Kallis was the second-highest run scorer, with Sachin being on the top and Saurav Ganguly on fourth. The stats, in the case of Kumble, Kallis and Sachin, do not oblige to the common theory at all. Your take?

T-20 is not just about hitting the ball hard. It is a different sort of cricket, for which different strategies and playing techniques are needed. This is where the experience counts. Kallis always performs well with both the bat and ball. Anil Kumble is the most economical bowler in T-20. Experience always matters. Being on the field for so long a time certainly helps you to adapt to different versions of the game easily. Be it Test matches, One-Dayers or T-20.

Do you think T-20 cricket is overshadowing other formats of the game, especially the 50-over One-Day matches, as is now it is being suggested?

No, there is nothing like that. Like I earlier said, T-20 is a totally different format of the game, with different techniques and strategies. It is not disturbing or severing other formats. We recently had a tri-series and then the Asia Cup. We are going to play 11 Test matches in the next five months. Everything is in fine balance.

http://thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article498663.ece

[wrap07]

:clap: :clap:

[wrap07]

Rahul Dravid is just 7 catches away from a '200' mark. :)

He has been a part of 80- 100+ partnerships (world record) :clap:

courtesy:http://www.dravidthewall.com/2010/07/double-century-of-catches-7-catches.html

[Plum]

I have a dreadful feeling Dravid will retire after this series. Either after a succesful series with head held high or if he has a disastrous tour, with a meow.

I also have a feeling Laxman will meow after this series and disappear from intl cricket pathetically like GRV. Especially, with Yuvraj doing well and looking like a batting success(definitely doesn't look like he'll be a failure in this tour in test matches) an average series for Lax will be curtains for him :(

And then I'll only have until Sachin's retirement to end my relationship with Cricket. Already, I am hardly enthused by ODIs without Sachin. And not at all by T20Is except IPl where atleast there is petty regional feeling to motivate and ofcourse the legends are still there. This is truly the end of a generation.

[tamizharasan]

[tscii]The writing on the wall


He is acknowledged as a selfless cricketer.

Without any doubt I can say that Dravid the most selfless cricketer, India has ever produced. He has been my absolute favorite for the last several years.

[mnaren555]

Dravid :)

Expecting century in this series...

Hope Dravid play very well :D

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii]
Football on a cricket tour

I have seen three diverse games of football since arriving in Sri Lanka, and it has barely been five days. The first one was obviously the final of the World Cup, the second and third were more enjoyable.

I appreciated the human drama on display during the biggest match of the year. I also appreciated that I was watching it in a foreign country amid people from various other countries. Don’t think anyone gathered around the big screen by the pool until close to 3 am was from either Spain or the Netherlands. But I don’t follow the game enough to appreciate the need for unattractive football in a final. Will take third-place playoffs any day.

The hero of the second game, which I saw while typing from the press box at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo, was Rahul Dravid. The Indian team erected two stumps to mark goals on either side, and went at it. One of them is nicknamed Pele too, not quite sure who. Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel guarded one goal and Dravid the other, at the near end. Since the goal is small, the goalkeeper is not allowed to use hands in this game.

With his feet, just by anticipation, Dravid made at least six saves from pretty close range in a game that must have gone some 20 minutes. And Dravid, being Dravid, merely smiled as he walked off to applause from his mates. He won’t make a good footballer, will Dravid. Doesn’t cry when he loses, doesn’t thump his chest when he wins. :notworthy:

The third game, on a beach in Galle, showed why football is such a popular sport in the world. It was just a motley group of kids having fun, but with skill enough to play a decent game and attract a crowd of more than 10. The goals were two wooden poles with fishing net between them. The touchlines weren’t marked, but they knew when the ball was out. No one fought over it.

One thing is for sure, the water wasn’t the touchline: they dribbled and tackled in the water too. Throw-ins were taken in knee-deep water. They played barefoot, but didn’t step on each other, and nobody got hurt. There was no referee with yellow and red cards, there was no need for one either. How Howard Webb would have loved to be in Galle.

http://blogs.cricinfo.com/tourdiaries/archives/2010/07/football_on_a_c.php

[VinodKumar's]

Thanks Nov for picture in first page :notworthy:

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul Dravid congratulates Muttiah Muralitharan (his last test match) ahead of the Sri Lankan offspinner's final Test match, Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 1st day, July 18, 2010
Rahul Dravid congratulates Muttiah Muralitharan ahead of the Sri Lankan offspinner's final Test match

http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/image/467772.html?object=456669;page=1

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul Dravid's feat

Sri Lanka v India, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day July 21, 2010

This tour hasn't so far been a great one for Rahul Dravid, with dropped catches and the run-out, but he achieved an important landmark during the fourth day's play. When he gently worked Murali around the corner in the 19th over, he became only the second batsman to score 9000 Test runs in the No. 3 position, behind Ricky Ponting. There are only nine batsmen who have scored 9000 or more overall, leave alone from one position.

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul Dravid My Idol: Raina

Raina said no matter how many runs Sri Lanka puts on board, India have the batting line-up to out-score the hosts.

"If we bowl well in tomorrow's session it will be useful for us. We will not be under pressure even if they score high. We have got good players. There will be three days and anything can happen. We have players who have done well overseas and everywhere they have scored runs. I think it is an attitude game," he said.

Raina, however, admitted that getting a few wickets would have helped. "I think we bowled well during the tea session and the last session. We did not give much runs but at the same time we need to take wickets also. So we will have to do well in the morning session," he said.

"I think it will be important what the approach is. We need to bowl well especially in the first session. We bowled really well even today but we could not get the wickets. May be we can get them out before the tea session," he added.

On his debut, Raina said he considers himself fortunate to have got the opportunity and would be aiming to make a mark. "I have played about 98 ODIs. I have scored runs in first-class cricket. I am thankful to god. He has been really kind to me. The seniors players helped me a lot. If I get to bat tomorrow or the day after, I will do my best," he said.

"I have worked on my technique and my mental strength. I am feeling good at the moment. I really wanted to perform well," he added. Asked who he idolises, Raina said, "Rahul Dravid is my idol. I have been following him for the past 10 years."

http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/story/cricket.yahoonews.com/despite-thrashing-raina-feels-india-bowled-well-20100726/

[VinodKumar's]

Raina with his Idol !!!

http://www.cricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2010/content/image/469088.html?object=456670;page=1

[VinodKumar's]

Expecting his retirement soon !!! :cry2: :cry2: :cry2:

[PARAMASHIVAN]

Rahul Dravid 'was' once like the 'Berlin wall' but he no more !

[raghavendran]

tony greg said pujara need not wait for too long...after dravid got dismissed... :evil:
1 bad series..odane retirement adhu idhunnu...b4 this series he played superbly

[Plum]

No ragav. He has been patchy for 2 years.
Hope he doesn't go through humiliation of being dropped for Yuvraj.
You think that won't happen? If Yuvraj does well in tri-series, there will be shameless calls all around for replacing Dravid with waterboy. Pujar ellAm no chance. In india, ODi performance is everything. Even for test selection :evil:
(Feeyaar, there goes - there's an aspect of the modern game that can make me a dinosaur)

[VinodKumar's]

tony greg said pujara need not wait for too long...after dravid got dismissed... :evil:
1 bad series..odane retirement adhu idhunnu...b4 this series he played superbly

Last 2 years his average is around 61. Tonu Greg oruthara thavira mathanvangalam batsman ah vae theriyaathu
:evil:

[sathya_1979]

tony greg said pujara need not wait for too long...after dravid got dismissed... :evil:
1 bad series..odane retirement adhu idhunnu...b4 this series he played superbly

Last 2 years his average is around 61. Tonu Greg oruthara thavira mathanvangalam batsman ah vae theriyaathu
:evil:
Vinod, cool down! Dravid knows what is best for him and the team. Sethu padam Sriman style la sollNumnaa "Avan varuvaaNdaa", kandippa HE WILL BE BACK and I want him to be back.

[VinodKumar's]

tony greg said pujara need not wait for too long...after dravid got dismissed... :evil:
1 bad series..odane retirement adhu idhunnu...b4 this series he played superbly

Last 2 years his average is around 61. Tonu Greg oruthara thavira mathanvangalam batsman ah vae theriyaathu
:evil:
Vinod, cool down! Dravid knows what is best for him and the team. Sethu padam Sriman style la sollNumnaa "Avan varuvaaNdaa", kandippa HE WILL BE BACK and I want him to be back.

:notworthy: The way he enjoyed yesterday's victory was unusual. I dont know whether it was because of Laxman or because of his last test in Srilanka ( if he has already decided his retirement)

[Puliyan_Biryani]

Rahul Dravid is a very decent man. He will definitely know when his time is up. Didn't he relinquish the captaincy himself when he knew that he couldn't do a good job. If he feels that he still has 1 good series in him then he should be given that chance. And he deserves it too.

[sathya_1979]

Rahul Dravid is a very decent man. He will definitely know when his time is up. Didn't he relinquish the captaincy himself when he knew that he couldn't do a good job. If he feels that he still has 1 good series in him then he should be given that chance. And he deserves it too.
Yes, great players like him should be given the previlege of determining their exit, in their own way.

[Sourav]

Vinod, cool down! Dravid knows what is best for him and the team. Sethu padam Sriman style la sollNumnaa "Avan varuvaaNdaa", kandippa HE WILL BE BACK and I want him to be back.
I also hope he will come back strongly in Aus series!

[raghavendran]

Vinod, cool down! Dravid knows what is best for him and the team. Sethu padam Sriman style la sollNumnaa "Avan varuvaaNdaa", kandippa HE WILL BE BACK and I want him to be back.
I also hope he will come back strongly in Aus series!idhu eppo varudhu..i thought india is touring south africa this yr?..illiya?..no more home series..abroad poi jeikkanum.

[raghavendran]

No ragav. He has been patchy for 2 years.
Hope he doesn't go through humiliation of being dropped for Yuvraj.
You think that won't happen? If Yuvraj does well in tri-series, there will be shameless calls all around for replacing Dravid with waterboy. Pujar ellAm no chance. In india, ODi performance is everything. Even for test selection :evil:
(Feeyaar, there goes - there's an aspect of the modern game that can make me a dinosaur) :roll: ...avar after that 100 against england in first test..no l;ooking back..semmaya adindhaaru..this series dhaan 1 50kude adikkle..adhukkule dropped,retired ellam solluvaaru..tony has just played 4 tests..avanlam namme dravid,a legend..pathi pesuran
i remeber ajay jadeja telling that "the diff between sachin and dravid is the diff bet sachin and bradman..both r in the same league"..vaare poi ippdi pesuraange

[VinodKumar's]

Dhoni on Rahul Dravid ODI place

Asked if some of the more experienced Test batsmen like Rahul Dravid deserved a place in the One-day side, at least in conditions dodgy for batting, he simply said, "I will not answer that question. Sorry."

:twisted:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/india-tour-of-sri-lanka/interviews/Dhoni-left-facing-uncomfortable-questions/articleshow/6289913.cms#ixzz0wL51cgWs

[Riyazz]

Vinod, cool down! Dravid knows what is best for him and the team. Sethu padam Sriman style la sollNumnaa "Avan varuvaaNdaa", kandippa HE WILL BE BACK and I want him to be back.
I also hope he will come back strongly in Aus series!idhu eppo varudhu..i thought india is touring south africa this yr?..illiya?..no more home series..abroad poi jeikkanum.i think oct r nov australia tour india for 2 test 3 odi

[Riyazz]

No ragav. He has been patchy for 2 years.
Hope he doesn't go through humiliation of being dropped for Yuvraj.
You think that won't happen? If Yuvraj does well in tri-series, there will be shameless calls all around for replacing Dravid with waterboy. Pujar ellAm no chance. In india, ODi performance is everything. Even for test selection :evil:
(Feeyaar, there goes - there's an aspect of the modern game that can make me a dinosaur) :roll: ...avar after that 100 against england in first test..no l;ooking back..semmaya adindhaaru..this series dhaan 1 50kude adikkle..adhukkule dropped,retired ellam solluvaaru..tony has just played 4 tests..avanlam namme dravid,a legend..pathi pesuran
i remeber ajay jadeja telling that "the diff between sachin and dravid is the diff bet sachin and bradman..both r in the same league"..vaare poi ippdi pesuraangeyes ragav dravid will back to form quick. he is the wall of indian team

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:a19a85d26f]Pujaras, Rahanes and Pandeys can wait, India needs Dravid

Published: Sunday, Aug 15, 2010, 0:08 IST
By Dilip Vengsarkar | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA


I really don’t know whether we will get players as focused, dedicated and disciplined as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble. No wonder they all have played more than 15 years of international cricket and achieved great feats.

Their performances on all kinds of wickets and in different conditions have been exemplary to say the least.

Though Anil has retired and Sachin at present is batting as if he is in his early 20s, critics on the other hand want Rahul Dravid to quit and make way for a younger batsman. As Vijay Merchant used to say, call it quits when people ask why, rather than why not.

I once asked a former great player what’s the best time to retire and he said it should be when you lose the motivation for the game and when it becomes difficult to put away bad balls to the boundary. Mind you, when in form, one does score runs off the good deliveries as well.

Well, I feel Rahul has a lot of cricket still left in him. Just because he failed in one series and is in his late 30s does not mean he should hang up his boots.

He is fitter than most, works hard at his game and still has the motivation to get out in the middle and grind the opposition.

However, being out of reckoning for the one-dayers, it must be difficult for him to wait for the Test series to begin. As it is there are less number of Test matches these days, it’s all the more tough for him. Under the circumstances, the batsman gets into the match with a lot of pressure to perform. I feel it’s important for a batsman to keep playing in all formats of the game at the international level.

VVS Laxman’s case at present is somewhat similar to that of Dravid, for one failure and the knives are out to get them. To his credit, Laxman has always performed whenever he’s gone out to bat and he’s been doing so for a long time now.

It’s tougher for him as he’s not being considered for One-day Internationals for the last five years or so. It calls for tremendous temperament and will to succeed. And, both Rahul and Laxman have it in plenty.

After being sidelined for the ODIs recently, Rahul, to his credit, has never missed an opportunity to turn up for his state team Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. He did score heavily and the young Karnataka players like Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa must have learnt a thing or two while forging partnerships with him.

I always believe that it’s the duty of every cricketer to contribute to his state or his club team by playing alongside young players and guiding them in their formative years. With so many international matches scheduled these days that’s a rarity.

With Australia scheduled to play Test series come October, the Pujaras, Rahanes and Pandeys can wait. India need Rahul Dravid’s solidity at No 3.

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/comment_pujaras-rahanes-and-pandeys-can-wait-india-needs-dravid_1423526[/tscii:a19a85d26f]

[ilayapuyalvinodh_kumar]

Where is The Wall these days ?? I can't see him love in action :sad:

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul in Chinese Traditional dress :lol:

[html:d3769f6a66]<img src=http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1677/r36n.jpg>[/html:d3769f6a66]

Mods, Please enable this picture !!!

[Plum]

Aargh! Chunkey pandey maadhiri irukkar indha dressla
Mods, pls disable this pic :( :lol:

[VinodKumar's]

Aargh! Chunkey pandey maadhiri irukkar indha dressla
Mods, pls disable this pic :( :lol:

Different ah irrukunu thaan poda sonnaen !!! Nallalaya :(

[Plum]

Vinod, enakku idhai pArthA Chunkey Pandey gnAbagam varudhu. ungaLukku pudichA irukkattum. nInga dhAnE indha thread-Oda unofficial owner!

[Puliyan_Biryani]

//Digression
Vinod, Why not start a thread for Jadeja? 2 part-ku title kooda ready - 1. "India cricket-in Nambikkai Natchathiram RJ" 2. "India cricket-in idithaangi RJ". :D

Response chumma pinni pedaleduthudum. Only you can do it. Come on Vinod come on.
End Digression//

[Irene Hastings]

Wish Dravid retires after the Australian series. 3 strong candidates are knocking the doors , especially PUjara and Manish Pandey

[VinodKumar's]

//Digression
Vinod, Why not start a thread for Jadeja? 2 part-ku title kooda ready - 1. "India cricket-in Nambikkai Natchathiram RJ" 2. "India cricket-in idithaangi RJ". :D

Response chumma pinni pedaleduthudum. Only you can do it. Come on Vinod come on.
End Digression//

// GM to Senthil in Kattabomman - Pazhani nee enakku sila neram nallthum pannura kettathum pannura :lol: //

[VinodKumar's]

Vinod, enakku idhai pArthA Chunkey Pandey gnAbagam varudhu. ungaLukku pudichA irukkattum. nInga dhAnE indha thread-Oda unofficial owner!

Yaarumae thread pakkam varathillaengaratha indirect ah solluringala :(

[VinodKumar's]

Wish Dravid retires after the Australian series. 3 strong candidates are knocking the doors , especially PUjara and Manish Pandey

Irene,

Do you want him to retire regardless of his performance in the series ?

[Puliyan_Biryani]

//Digression
Vinod, Why not start a thread for Jadeja? 2 part-ku title kooda ready - 1. "India cricket-in Nambikkai Natchathiram RJ" 2. "India cricket-in idithaangi RJ". :D

Response chumma pinni pedaleduthudum. Only you can do it. Come on Vinod come on.
End Digression//

// GM to Senthil in Kattabomman - Pazhani nee enakku sila neram nallthum pannura kettathum pannura :lol: //
:lol:
//neenga thread mattum open panni paarunga. appuram neenga irukka pora edame vera. :D

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:451f57e3c4]Life Beyond Cricket

Cricket was one of the most interesting sports, India were always the underdogs with everything depending on Sachin, or Azhar to an extent when I started watching. I loved the way Venkatesh Prasad, Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble performed, I liked their attitude. That hooked me on to cricket, Azhar’s cricket was surely eye-candy (now eye-candy in cricket is used to refer to cheer girls). His batting, his fielding, everything was charismatic. Sachin was always there, his consistent self, people mad about him. But for me, it was Azhar, the classy batsman.

Then the things changed, I used to see this guy working hard every time, every single innings. I saw him have his good days and bad days, but one thing was sure, I always saw him there. I saw him field very well too, I saw a batsman smashing on his hand at silly mid off while Kumble caught it on the rebound (I don’t remember batsman cause he wasn’t ever the focus). Even in pain, I saw him celebrate the wicket before heading for the treatment.

I saw so much of him that from then cricket was him only. As always, Sachin was always there, but this guy Dravid was surely my favorite, more than Azhar, more than Prasad, more than anyone I could have been. From the slambook entries varying from Azhar to Sachin to Sonu Nigam to Bobby Deol to S C Bose to S P Gautam (the most consistent factor- my father), it ended up having only Rahul Dravid and S P Gautam in the Idol Section.

That was long back, I was a kid then. Now, I don’t have that much time to view, and neither is cricket that much more interesting. Team India doing well, as people say, in ODIs, has finally gone down. They won’t get the same number of challenges, they won’t play on tough tracks 90% of the time, the rest 10% will be easily forgotten or Sachin will come to rescue (he is always there), or may be some others will play a blinder at times.

In Tests also, a transition will come. People will look at 44* of Suresh Raina rather than remembering he had danced down the track to Malinga for an edged four, when the team was too close to victory. Rahul Dravid will move out of cricket. Not soon may be, may be soon, it depends on him. I won’t get to see someone working so hard for everything (surely times are changing, and like Dravid, even Sachin won’t be always there, and when great players leave and the quality of cricket keeps coming down, the number of challengers will have to be down to prevent disinterest of people). Also to note is that cricket is being globalized, and so the teams at the top will have to come down for the sake of competition, and any batsman or bowler will be good. From 16 countries presently, may be there will be 32 playing in World Cup in next 20 years or so, because once there were only 8 countries, and right now with T-20s, money is on.

T-20s are surely a boon for someone like me. As I said, I am not a kid anymore, I won’t have the same kind of time for cricket as it was before when I could watch days of Test cricket without any worry. Life is also moving at a faster pace these days, like cricket. T-20 has made sure that I get to watch the masters of the game in shorter format and see the highlights of their real skills. On an odd day, on a tough track in a T-20, I can see the great batsmen raising their hands up and do the job. And so, the cricket enthusiast in me will be alive.

But beyond cricket, I will have my memories. When the cricket in me ends, or tends to end (like the infinity curve), there will be something that will still be there. I will remember how Rahul Dravid worked for everything, and I will have a few points in my diary when in game called life I’ll visit tough times, I will remember how you could always be there, your consistent self, doing the best you can, despite what people say, like Sachin Tendulkar who was always there for India. I will remember the stories that from the cricket that under-rated gems performed when most needed, and did the job for the team, and team always valued them irrespective of whatever others said, like Very Very Special. I will remember how a few cricketers managed things off the field. I will remember I met Rahul Dravid, had a handshake, touched his feet. When people will talk cricket, I’ll remember the golden period of Indian cricket, with Sourav Ganguly as captain, Rahul Dravid scoring 25% of the runs in his 21 Test wins, with an average of over 100, I will remember Very Very Special performing when needed, and I will remember Sachin for being always there.

Talking about life beyond cricket, Rahul Dravid still stays, Sachin Tendulkar still stays, VVS still stays. That is probably what is called ‘Larger than Life’ image.

http://day2dayrg.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/life-beyond-cricket/[/tscii:451f57e3c4]

[Plum]

Jadeja vechu 4-5 pages :roll:
Avan appa amma kUda avanai pathi ivLO nenaikka mAttAnga!

[VinodKumar's]

Jadeja vechu 4-5 pages :roll:
Avan appa amma kUda avanai pathi ivLO nenaikka mAttAnga!

// It's not here !!! Athu vera thread !!! Inga Strictly no digression :mrgreen: //

[Plum]

Andha threadla pOttA, 10 pages advance aayidum. NInga kaalaila vandhu pArkaradhukuuLLa.Inge pOttA safeA apdiyE orukkum - ningaLum pArthuttu reply paNNalAm. Adhukku vasadhiyA dhAn...;-) :)

[VinodKumar's]

Andha threadla pOttA, 10 pages advance aayidum. NInga kaalaila vandhu pArkaradhukuuLLa.Inge pOttA safeA apdiyE orukkum - ningaLum pArthuttu reply paNNalAm. Adhukku vasadhiyA dhAn...;-) :)

// :lol: //

[VinodKumar's]

Who has scored the most Test runs after reaching the age of 30?
asked Jermaine Peel from London

The leader among batsmen is Matthew Hayden, who scored 7306 of his 8625 Test runs after turning 30. Next come Alec Stewart (6758 in 107 matches, a record for the over-30s), Brian Lara (6547), Steve Waugh (6487), Graham Gooch (6360) and Allan Border (6139). Rahul Dravid has so far scored 5876 runs in Tests since turning 30, while Sachin Tendulkar has 5026. In one-day internationals the leader is Sanath Jayasuriya (8674), well clear of Adam Gilchrist (5771). Turning to bowlers, Muttiah Muralitharan took 388 Test wickets after his 30th birthday, to Shane Warne's 386. Murali (239) also leads the way in ODIs, ahead of Glenn McGrath (217) and Wasim Akram (215).

What's the highest individual score in the fourth innings of a Test, and how many Indians have made hundreds in the fourth innings of one?
asked Anurag from India

Five players have scored a double-century in the fourth innings of a Test, and the highest score among them is George Headley's 223 for West Indies against England in Kingston in 1929-30. Nathan Astle threatened that record with 222 for New Zealand v England in Christchurch in 2001-02, while Sunil Gavaskar made 221 for India v England at The Oval in 1979. Bill Edrich hit 219 in the final innings of the famous Timeless Test in Durban in 1938-39, and Gordon Greenidge sped West Indies to a nine-wicket victory over England at Lord's in 1984 with 214 not out. There have been 23 centuries for India in the fourth innings of Tests, four by Gavaskar, three by Sachin Tendulkar, two by Mohammad Azharuddin, and one each by Ajit Agarkar, Abbas Ali Baig, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Vijay Hazare, Wasim Jaffer, ML Jaisimha, VVS Laxman, Sanjay Manjrekar, Mushtaq Ali, Polly Umrigar, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Yuvraj Singh.


http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/473648.html

[VinodKumar's]

Kumar Sangakkara reached 8000 Test runs during the third Test in Colombo. Is he the fastest player, in terms of innings, to achieve that landmark?
asked Keith D'Souza from Nigeria

Kumar Sangakkara did indeed pass 8000 runs in the second innings of the recent third Test against India in Colombo, in what was his 152nd innings in all. And that does break the previous record, held by another player in the same match - Sachin Tendulkar. He reached 8000 runs in his 154th Test innings, three fewer than Garry Sobers and four fewer than Rahul Dravid. Sangakkara was playing in his 91st Test, equalling Sobers' record (Matthew Hayden reached 8000 runs in his 92nd Test, Dravid and Brian Lara in 94, Sunil Gavaskar in 95, and Tendulkar in 96).

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/471770.html

[VinodKumar's]

Murali's last wicket was caught by Mahela Jayawardene, his 77th catch off his bowling - is this a record for a bowler and fielder?
asked Lionel Rajapakse from Colombo

That dismissal of Pragyan Ojha at Galle was indeed the 77th, and presumably final, time that "c Jayawardene b Muralitharan" will appear on a Test scorecard. And that is easily a record for a bowler-fielder combination: "c Dravid b Kumble" is next with 55, just ahead of "c Taylor b Warne" (51). The record for a bowler-wicketkeeper pairing remains "c Marsh b Lillee", with 95.

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/469021.html

[VinodKumar's]

Innaiku padichatha poturukaen. Archives la neraya matter irrukum pola :oops:

[Puliyan_Biryani]

There have been 23 centuries for India in the fourth innings of Tests, four by Gavaskar, three by Sachin Tendulkar, two by Mohammad Azharuddin, and one each by Ajit Agarkar, Abbas Ali Baig, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Vijay Hazare, Wasim Jaffer, ML Jaisimha, VVS Laxman, Sanjay Manjrekar, Mushtaq Ali, Polly Umrigar, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Yuvraj Singh.
idhanaal thaangal solla varum karuthu?

[VinodKumar's]

There have been 23 centuries for India in the fourth innings of Tests, four by Gavaskar, three by Sachin Tendulkar, two by Mohammad Azharuddin, and one each by Ajit Agarkar, Abbas Ali Baig, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Vijay Hazare, Wasim Jaffer, ML Jaisimha, VVS Laxman, Sanjay Manjrekar, Mushtaq Ali, Polly Umrigar, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Yuvraj Singh.
idhanaal thaangal solla varum karuthu?

:theepori thirumugam trouser pocket kulla kaiya vittu gaali pocketai eduthu aatugiraar: :lol:

[Puliyan_Biryani]

There have been 23 centuries for India in the fourth innings of Tests, four by Gavaskar, three by Sachin Tendulkar, two by Mohammad Azharuddin, and one each by Ajit Agarkar, Abbas Ali Baig, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Vijay Hazare, Wasim Jaffer, ML Jaisimha, VVS Laxman, Sanjay Manjrekar, Mushtaq Ali, Polly Umrigar, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Yuvraj Singh.
idhanaal thaangal solla varum karuthu?

:theepori thirumugam trouser pocket kulla kaiya vittu gaali pocketai eduthu aatugiraar: :lol:
Dravid-oda 4th innings stats-a pathi anal parakka oru discussion aarambikkumnu paatha :roll:

:appo nee summaadhaan vandhiya. naan eppovume summaadhaan varuven: :D

[VinodKumar's]

There have been 23 centuries for India in the fourth innings of Tests, four by Gavaskar, three by Sachin Tendulkar, two by Mohammad Azharuddin, and one each by Ajit Agarkar, Abbas Ali Baig, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Vijay Hazare, Wasim Jaffer, ML Jaisimha, VVS Laxman, Sanjay Manjrekar, Mushtaq Ali, Polly Umrigar, Gundappa Viswanath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Yuvraj Singh.
idhanaal thaangal solla varum karuthu?

:theepori thirumugam trouser pocket kulla kaiya vittu gaali pocketai eduthu aatugiraar: :lol:
Dravid-oda 4th innings stats-a pathi anal parakka oru discussion aarambikkumnu paatha :roll:

:appo nee summaadhaan vandhiya. naan eppovume summaadhaan varuven: :D

:notthatway: Sudden ah serious aagiruvaen :x :rotfl2:

[Puliyan_Biryani]

:notthatway: Sudden ah serious aagiruvaen :x :rotfl2:
//Admit aayittu solli anuppunga vandhu paakkaren :P//

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii]
Opinion: Send SOS to Dravid
.
With India's batting looking fragile and the bowling somewhat inept, the selectors need to think on their feet.
By Sruresh Menon


As I sit down to write this, there are 180 days, four hours, one minute and six seconds to go before the 50-over World Cup. The Indian team playing in the Tri-Series in Sri Lanka is neither as good as their No.2 world ranking suggests nor as bad as their batting collapses against New Zealand and Sri Lanka indicate.

The series started with a question mark over the bowling attack, but it is the batting that is causing nightmares now – not to the opposition but to the supporters of the team. The only consistent area has been the fielding where there are too many slow-moving, poorly-anticipating, badly-throwing players who just cannot be hidden anywhere.

In the recent round of one-day matches, what are the lessons for India? That their batting is dependant on the trio of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir. That the bowling without Zaheer Khan lacks teeth. That inconsistency is the bane of the middle order. In short, we haven’t learnt anything new.

Should India beat New Zealand on Wednesday and go through to the final where suddenly everything comes together, they might even win the tournament. But in that case, the inherent weaknesses will be covered up. A defeat brings out the drawbacks into sharp focus; it is better to lose now and do some serious course-correction than to discover 180 days, four hours etc later that faith in some players was misplaced or that insistence on some strategies was foolish.

For, unlike in a Test match series or a tri-series or even a bi-lateral one, there is a finality about the World Cup. It is not a platform for experimentation. It is not a tournament to blood youngsters or to give players a chance because they didn’t get to play in some recent tournaments. Every slot must have a player who is best suited for it, the focus being on winning, not on creating a team for the future.

One of the first thoughts that selectors ought to be considering is whether they need to bolster the middle order with a tried and tested stalwart. Rahul Dravid, in short. There are no problems of fitness, commitment or awareness there. The middle order can play around him.

A decision will have to be made soon about the likes of Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli in batting and Munaf Patel, Ashish Nehra and others in bowling. Are they primed for the main roles or as the supporting cast?

Dravid has responded to SOS calls before, and has been left high and dry thereafter, uncertain whether his was an ad hoc appointment or a middle-term one till the team was put back on its feet. As one of the handful of players with ten thousand runs in both forms of the game, he deserves better.

With six months (and a few hours) to go before the World Cup, this might seem like a panic-stricken reaction to a couple of bad days in the office in Sri Lanka. But if Dravid has to play, he needs to be given time to ease himself back into the slot from where he ruled for so many years. At any rate, we are still in the days of experimentation, and experiments can involve both future hopefuls and past certainties.

In fact, that will be an important aspect of the planning for the World Cup – how to ease into the team players returning to fitness after a break. Bowlers Sreeshanth, Zaheer, Harbhajan, for example. The certainties need to be handled with as much care as the border-line cases, and that is not something easily understood by those who are responsible for these things.

http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/international-cricket/news/detail/item488758/Opinion:-Send-SOS-to-Dravid/

[VinodKumar's]

Bring Dravid back to ODI squad: Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram is off the opinion that senior batsman Rahul Dravid should be recalled to India's ODI squad since he still has a lot to offer in the 50-over format.

"Dravid still has a lot to offer in ODIs. I believe that Dravid should be brought back into the (one-day) team. In the sub-continent, the current batsmen can do well, but on the overseas tours, India need a solid and experienced batsman like Dravid," Akram said.

Akram also was not happy with the current bowling line-up of the Indian team. When asked about his reported comments that some of the India players were "softies and lazy", the former left-arm pacer said, "I was not talking about the whole team. I was only talking about the bowlers."

"Look at Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan and RP Singh. They were all very promising in the beginning. They had everything a bowler needs. Now you look at them. They have waned, for reasons beyond me," Akram told espnstar.com.

The cricketer-turned-commentator was also forthright on with his opinion on the surfeit of India versus Sri Lanka series.

"There is a series between these two teams every two months. It is very natural that the Indian players have lost interest in the contests. I am sure the same is the case with the Sri Lankan cricketers," he said.

"The Indian players are in the habit of playing in front of more or less 60,000 people and now they are playing amidst almost empty stands.

"Obviously, their performance will get affected. They are a top team in both Tests and ODIs and only too much cricket is their undoing at the moment," he added.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/29620/Bring-Dravid-back-to-ODI-squad--Akram

[Riyazz]

Bring Dravid back to ODI squad: Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram is off the opinion that senior batsman Rahul Dravid should be recalled to India's ODI squad since he still has a lot to offer in the 50-over format.

"Dravid still has a lot to offer in ODIs. I believe that Dravid should be brought back into the (one-day) team. In the sub-continent, the current batsmen can do well, but on the overseas tours, India need a solid and experienced batsman like Dravid," Akram said.

Akram also was not happy with the current bowling line-up of the Indian team. When asked about his reported comments that some of the India players were "softies and lazy", the former left-arm pacer said, "I was not talking about the whole team. I was only talking about the bowlers."

"Look at Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan and RP Singh. They were all very promising in the beginning. They had everything a bowler needs. Now you look at them. They have waned, for reasons beyond me," Akram told espnstar.com.

The cricketer-turned-commentator was also forthright on with his opinion on the surfeit of India versus Sri Lanka series.

"There is a series between these two teams every two months. It is very natural that the Indian players have lost interest in the contests. I am sure the same is the case with the Sri Lankan cricketers," he said.

"The Indian players are in the habit of playing in front of more or less 60,000 people and now they are playing amidst almost empty stands.

"Obviously, their performance will get affected. They are a top team in both Tests and ODIs and only too much cricket is their undoing at the moment," he added.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/29620/Bring-Dravid-back-to-ODI-squad--Akram:thumbsup:

[Puliyan_Biryani]

World Cup is going to be held in India and not overseas. So I dont think Dravid can get back into the ODI team.

We definitely need him for the Test matches.

[Plum]

Rahul Dravid doesnt need the ODI WC. My wish is he surpasses Pranding as a test batsman.

[Puliyan_Biryani]

Surpass in what sense Plum? Average? Runs?

Ponting is captain so he can play on and on and retire on his own terms. But Dravid is already under pressure to retain his spot. So not sure if Dravid is going to surpass Ponting.

[Plum]

Wish dhAnE kAsA paNamA.

Definitely in Average. Runs-um thAndinA nallA irukkumnu oru nappAsai.
But the reality is Ponting will take away even the one record that seemed Rahul's for keeping - catches. Pricky already has 172 :(

And it is not even sure that Sachin will end up with more runs/avg than Ponting when both their careers end so where is Dravid :(

[Puliyan_Biryani]

Nothing wrong in wishing.

Something (patchi) tells me that Ponting's average might dip even further (a la Steve Waugh). Ponting's reflexes seem to have slowed, the ever reliable pull shot is not so assured anymore and he has never been a good player of spin. But of course, the weak teams visiting Aus are likely to be generous to him (again similar Steve Waugh frantically building his average against Ban and Zim in 2003).

If the patchi is right, then Dravid might just manage to beat him on the average section. Not much chance on runs though.

[tamizharasan]

It looks like Dravid lost the interst in Cricket. Politics also played a vital role in this destruction. This is only possible by Indian Cricket Board.

[VinodKumar's]

From Laxman's recent interview to Sportstar

Dated 26th August

So you don't think that some where down the line the 'Big Three' (Tedulkar, Dravid and Laxman)would be phased out of the Test squad?
Honestly no. There was never a hint in this regard.Never ever was there a discussion on this subject in the dressing room.All this unfortunate talk is only heard outside. Retirement is the one thing that every champion sportsperson has to face in his life. Personally, I don't want to waste time by giving too much of a thought to this.My main objective is to keep doing well every time I get a chance to play.

Do you believe that you have got the recognition due to you in international cricket?
I am not sure. But whatever you people think, it may be in terms of popularity. That may be because I have not scored as many hundreds as the other two greats, Tendulkar and Dravid.

What exactly has been the secret of your consistency in the last 14 years?
My intense preparations before every major assignment and the desire to keep improving. Well, I may say that this has been the decisive factor for all three of us(Tendulkar,Dravid and me).
We batted in the best interest of the team. Statistics can never be a priority for us, for we always beleive that once we keep performing,they(the numbers) will follow us. For us, the team is more important than any individual feats.

Picture from the article

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/135/thebigthree.png

P_R/Master, Please enable it :noteeth:

[littlemaster1982]

[html:909170e4b3][/html:909170e4b3]

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii]
RCB better prepared for CL T20, says Dravid
Bangalore, Aug 16

From bottom-scrapers in the first edition of the Indian Premier League at home to runners-up in the second year, Royal Challengers Bangalore have happy memories of South Africa, where the IPL II was staged.

All set for the Champions League in South Africa, former RCB skipper and their premier batsman Rahul Dravid hoped the Anil Kumble-led side would replicate their performance the previous time there.

“It is exciting to play the Champions League in South Africa,” said the right-hander here on Monday at a function organised to announce the winners of RCB’s Fanatic Fans Challenge -III.

RCB’s stirring run in South Africa in 2009 after suffering four consecutive losses wasn’t lost on the former Indian captain. “We were among the better sides in the South African conditions as we showed during the second edition of the IPL,” he pointed out. Dravid was one of the better performers for RCB in the Protean conditions, where the low team totals were the norms, notching up 271 runs, the third highest for the Bangalore side.
Though Dravid indicated that teams other than IPL held a slight advantage in terms playing of together for a longer period, he hoped the experience of having played as a unit for the last three years should hold them in good stead. “As Indian teams it does get difficult as we assemble just ahead of the tournament but then we have played three IPLs together and our team has settled well,” he remarked.

The preparation, too, was going to be crucial this time, according to Dravid. “This time we have more time to prepare and get used to the conditions. We are better prepared for the tournament. Yes, it is the Champions League and it is a tough tournament but we have a good team. The Indian teams will have to adjust quicker,” he observed.
Besides Dravid, RCB’s hard-hitting batsman Robin Uthappa and Siddarth Mallya, Director Royal Challengers Sports Ltd, were the other judges who adjudged the three winners -- Chief Blogger, Chief Photographer and Chief Podcaster -- from 21 short-listed fans. The trio who will travel with the team and capture all the cricket action from South Africa, both on and off-field.

“It’s one of the toughest decisions I’d to make. It’s not just about the quality, but the passion they brought about,” said Dravid, who was adjudicated the chief blogger. Uthappa selected the photographer while Mallya chose the podcaster.
Winners: Chief Photographer: Dharma Chandru (Chennai); Chief Blogger: Disha Shetty (Mumbai); Chief Podcaster: Shireen Dastagiri (Bangalore).

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/89236/rcb-better-prepared-cl-t20.html

[VinodKumar's]

Kumble, Dravid, Padukone to welcome QBR to Bangalore

Former Team India skippers Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid and badminton legend Prakash Padukone will be among the sport stars who will welcome the Queen's Baton Relay for the Delhi Commonwealth Games to Bangalore on Thursday. Besides, others who will participate in the relay include cricketing
legends GR Vishwanath, Karnataka's first Olympian Kenneth Powell, Dronacharya Award winning boxer Captain M Venu and tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi.

Asian Games hockey gold medalist Sabu Varkey and Arjuna Awardees Chetan Baboor (table tennis), Nisha Millet (swimming), Reeth Abraham (athletics) and Ashwini Nachappa (athletics) will also be among those participating.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa will receive the baton along with the state Olympic Association President K Govindraj.

The baton will travel to Hassan on September 4 and then to Mangalore before concluding its Karnataka journey at Karwar. It then reaches Panjim in Goa on September 7.

The Bangalore leg would mark Day 69 of the 100-day QBR journey. The South India leg of the relay commenced mid-August in Hyderabad and has extensively covered Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Kerala before entering Karnataka through Mysore.

The QBR has seen widespread participation from former and current athletes and sportspersons apart from enthusiasts from all walks of society including the youth, students, celebrities and the political spectrum.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Kumble-Dravid-Padukone-to-welcome-QBR-to-Bangalore/Article1-594342.aspx

[VinodKumar's]

Rahul Dravid - Not a Super-Star..!! - From Orkut RD community

Just happened to read a debate in our community where someone said '' Dravid is not a Star, just a cricketer '' and I personally had an experience to realise it. I wanted to write about it for a while, now I got a chance...!!

And here is the incident...!!

In my very recent flight, I happened to meet a passenger from Mauritius, her name is Andrea ( She was reading a book on India & it had a Hindi phrase, and she took the wrong person to ask for the meaning, it was me .Thus how the conversation started ).She said that she is on her way to Kerala, and then coolly said that she is also going to meet Rahul Dravid. Err, I was shocked & words started trembling, I didn't know what to say.After a pause I asked her the reason for the visit. She said that she & her brother is going to invite Dravid for her brothers wedding ( I imagined that her brother should be some icon or a relative to Dravid ).

When I asked the same to her, she coolly said '' My brothers name is Wilson..He is a fan of Dravid & Dravid also knew him ''. Without knowing the real story,I told her that there are 1000s of Dravid fans, Dravid would have met many and every one will be happy if Dravid can attend their marriage, and I said that it is highly unlikely for her to meet Dravid personally to invite him. She just laughed and said to me '' You know Dravid as a cricket star, my brother knew him just as a hotel guest ''. Damn, I was too confused & she realized it and told the story................

During Team Indias 2007 world cup campaign in West Indies, Wilson was working as an Internship student in one of the hotels where Team India stayed. Wilson is neither aware of Team India players nor follow cricket at that times. Wilson worked as a Trainee Instructor in the Hotels Gym and he was also responsible to authorize visitors entry into the gym ( As the hotel is filled with Cricket Stars & fans, the gym was restricted only to certain guests ).

Dravid happened to visit the gym, Wilson asked Dravid for his identity key which Dravid didnt had with him. Wilson had no clue about Dravid or his stature, he requested Dravid to get the Tag for him.Dravid apologized to Wilson & started walking back to his room to get the Tag. Some other staffs inside the Gym stopped Dravid and they ran towards Dravid to stop him and apologised & told him that Wilson is a trainee and new there and requested Dravid to use the gym, but Dravid refused politely and said not to misguide the young trainee ( Dravid saw Wilsons name tag ), Dravid said Wilson is doing his job, so let him do in the right way.Wilson was soo embarrassed to know the fact that he stopped Team India's Captain on the door, same time he was stunned with Dravids politeness.

Wilson then started having special attention over Dravid during Team India's short stay in their hotel, and Dravid also got into few conversations with Wilson every-time they meet in the gym and other places in the hotel.Wilson being a graduate on Fitness course, shared many of fitness tricks with Dravid.

Days later India lost to Sri Lanka, back to the same hotel. Wilson realized that it will be Team Indias last night in that hotel, as they will be moving to another hotel the next morning. Wilson as a trainee was collecting '' Guest satisfaction feedback form '' which can be an added advantage to him at the end of his Internship, Wilson also got introduced with many other cricketers and he got his share of attention with many players with his cool & jovial nature, so he just gave it to all the cricketers he saw on that day including Dravid.

Team India were already in a very bad mood, and most of the players didn't turn for the dinner, were Wilson thought that he could ask them about the form. The next day when Wilson was back to work, he checked with the hotel whether anyone had left the Feed back form for him, and he found only one, thats Dravid's..!! Dravid wrote a few lines for him and undersigned just as Rahul with his home address as contact details.

Team India was checking out, Wilson spotted Dravid, he first apologized for disturbing him on a dull day when India lost to SL and almost crashed out of WC, Dravid stopped him and said they did their job and didn't performed well & Wilson did his job and gets his reward ( The feedback form ). Wilson was speechless, and he thanked Dravid for filling up the '' Guest Feedback Form '' and hesitantly asked Dravid why he didn't mention that he is a Cricketer/ Captain of Team India in the '' Occupation '' field, but left blank. Dravid said him that he was impressed with Wilson because he found Dravid just as a hotel guest, not as Team India Captain or any special guest...!

Wilson then got Dravid's email address & promised not to use Dravids name for any reference for his future jobs, will always have Dravids Feeback as a personal souvenir. .

Andrea said that Wilson & Dravid contact each other regularly .....They happened to meet again in England in 2009 aswell..!!

To Wilson , Dravid is still a hotel guest who turned into a humble friend/well-wisher..!!

Rahul Dravid, The Face Next Door..Truly :)

// Thalaiva :notworthy: //

[VinodKumar's]

Sep 01 2010 - Corporate Trophy - Visakapatanam

Dravid leaded Indian Cements won the match by 125 runs.

Dravid came @ # 5 and scored 32*(23 balls).

Full scorecard of the match
http://bccicricket.org/cims/web/jsp/FullScoreCard.jsp?matchid=1687

[Sourav]

Sep 01 2010 - Corporate Trophy - Visakapatanam

Dravid leaded Indian Cements won the match by 125 runs.

Dravid came @ # 5 and scored 32*(23 balls).

Full scorecard of the match
http://bccicricket.org/cims/web/jsp/FullScoreCard.jsp?matchid=1687

:lol: he scored 10k+10k @ intr. level... yetho santhu ponthu-la nadantha match-la 20,30 adichathai ellam post panni neeye avara asingapaduthittu irukka....

[VinodKumar's]

Enga veladurngarthu mukkiyam illa eppdi viladuromgarathu thaan mukkiyam.

Santhu bonthu la viladati 21K + adichiruka mudiyuma. Varalaru migavum mukkiyam amaicharae.

[Sourav]

innaikku duck outtu... but, his team won... DK scored 62.

[Puliyan_Biryani]

:hammer:

modhalla indha tournament-a (???) follow panradhai niruthungappa.

[Sourav]

:lol:
ada yaaru follow panna... channel maathum bothu DK eee-nu sirichukitte vanthan... appo scorecard pottanga... vinod-i veruppetha oru matter kedaichuthenu vanthu post pannen... :noteeth:

[satissh_r]

Dravid seems really low on confidence :( Saw his dismissal to M Tiwary (bowling seam up), played back to a ball that he would have driven down the ground otherwise and got bowled

[VinodKumar's]

Spot-fixing controversy

'Cricket's biggest chance to clean itself' - Rahul Dravid

Sharda Ugra

September 3, 2010

Rahul Dravid, the India batsman, has called the ICC's move to hand out first-ever suspensions to three Pakistan cricketers for "irregular behaviour" under the Anti-Corruption Code a positive step but wanted the inquiry against the trio to be taken to its "logical conclusion". The spot fixing controversy, Dravid told ESPNcricinfo, "is cricket's biggest chance to clean itself".

"The last thing we need is for the events of this week to be swept under the carpet. No guilt must be attached until the investigations are complete, and everyone deserves a fair chance to defend themselves. But the process must be thorough and comprehensive."

Dravid said that he wanted the investigation of the anti-corruption unit to be completed before the matter moved on to, "a proper inquiry carried out by investigators with the law of the land behind them." He said the most necessary outcome of the entire episode, "which has been a horrible scar on cricket, cricketers and fans," would be "swift and strong punishment to anyone found guilty."

In the past, Dravid said, "people once judged guilty turned up after a few months just because time had passed. It was as if everyone had forgotten what days like these feel like for the majority of honest players in the game".

Dravid recommended a complete inquiry with adequate penalties, since it would send out the right message - "that the consequences of getting in contact with the businesses of illegal betting and fraud are extremely severe, whether it is life bans or extended bans on any future livelihood in cricket."

Dravid said he was not fond of the security measures currently in place but every player had to accept it. "No one wants to be under watch all the time - I hate that there are cops and security on our floor in every hotel the team lives in, but that is what the game requires, that is what we must live with."

The ICC's anti-corruption code is not, he said, merely about "the right rules being laid down but also ensuring that people who break those rules pay the penalties and face the consequences".

http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/475717.html?CMP=chrome

[VinodKumar's]

Searching for Poetic Justice

Please Note: This isn't for those who are true RD fans who think that present batting line-up doesn't have place for him as it is fixed, and Rainas and Sharmas and Kohlies are ahead of RD for a place in ODI team.

He came, he worked hard, he conquered. He faced troubles, he worked harder, he conquered again. He faced bigger troubles, as also injustice. He knew only one thing, he worked hard, and he again conquered.
That is supposed to be a happy ending story, with the hero earning all he has to, along with respect. Today, Ayush-man as per the announcer was interviewing the bollywood babe Deepika Padukone. He said that with Sachin, Ganguly, Kallis, Kumble etc, the trend of older actors in bollywood seems to be converting to older cricketers on cricket field. Well he missed one name. The irony is, for us it might be a big name. But others don't seem to care. Earlier also, among the big names performing in IPL, some Sameer mentioned all he could except Rahul Dravid.
Yes, Rahul Dravid is the reason for the article. He knows a few things, modesty, hard work, positivity, more modesty, more hard work, more positivity. With such a man, you'd expect the end result to be a positive. But due to the policy of age (which doesn't necessarily mean fitness and fielding, because people like Yuvraj Singh, arguably India's fittest platyer and best fielder are in team doing wonders for team on the field), Rahul Dravid doesn't get the poetic justice he so much deserves.

Rahul Dravid won't feel a thing, he is just damn too positive. He will be happy with whatever he gets, because he knows just a few things, hard work, patience, positivity, modesty, never complain attitude, etc. What about fans? There is some psychological issue with some fans, with me especcially.

The issues is, I need the hard work to win. Because if it doesn't, I lose hope on it. I'd have to try other way outs. May be unfair. If hard work doesn't win, then what wins? If positivity doesn't give enough positives, what gives?

I'd still hope for poetic justice before the 2011 World Cup. I know Dravid deserves a player more than most but one player (no doubt who he is). Dravid has worked harder than any one else for his place in the ODIs, he is no liability in field, he is no liability with bat. And yes, the poetic justice will happen. And will happen soon enough, before 2011 World Cup. Somehow, or the other.


RD for 2011 World Cup
Yeah, he'll make it, I believe completely.
===
RG

[VinodKumar's]

From Ross Taylor's interview on 7 Sep 2010

Q. How is it playing alongside modern greats like Kumble, Dravid and Kallis?

A. Well, when I first entered the same dressing room as them, I was amazed. One side I had Dravid, the other side Kallis and Kumble in front of me. Now, I am used to this. Dravid, Kallis and Kumble are some of the best to have played this game. But, they are ordinary people with extra ordinary talent. They train very hard. I hope I can make a similar kind of name in cricket.

Q. Who do you spend more time with when not playing cricket?

A. Well, I like to spend my time with Cameron White and Dravid and Murali. I also like spending time with the young Indian lads like Virat and all. They help me with the new language and I am learning some new words, both good and bad.

http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/cl-t20/news/detail/item495675/Taylor:-Stags-will-be-undergods/

[Plum]

Well, I dont think RSD will make it to the ODI World Cup Team. Frankly, I don't care. Loss is not his.
But what does concern me is that he seems closer and clsoer to test retirement. Now, that is worth crying over

[satissh_r]

A. Well, I like to spend my time with Cameron White and Dravid and Murali

Entha Muraliya solran ivan?

[Sourav]

A. Well, I like to spend my time with Cameron White and Dravid and Murali

Entha Muraliya solran ivan?
adutha line paarunga...

I also like spending time with the young Indian lads like Virat and all. murali vijay-a iruntha kozhi-oda serthu solliruppan... so, it must be muralitharan... :noteeth:

[satissh_r]

adutha line paarunga...

I also like spending time with the young Indian lads like Virat and all. murali vijay-a iruntha kozhi-oda serthu solliruppan... so, it must be muralitharan... :noteeth:

Appa adutha kelvi, Murali Vijay kudavo illa Muralidharan kuda irukka ivanukku eppadi chance kedachuthu :P

[Sourav]

practice session-la ellam pesi pazhagiruppange pola... :P

[Plum]

M Pandey-ngraadhia maRandhu pOi Murali Pandey-nu nenaichu solli iruppAn.

New Zealand kArangaLukku andh pEru konjam kashtamA dhAn irundhirukku. Danny Morrison called him Manish Pandi :lol:

[Sourav]

Danny Morrison called him Manish Pandi :lol:ya,,, :lol:

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:679dfc531c]Dravid plans Hauritz assault

Rahul Dravid in a chat with ESPNSTAR.com sent out a veiled threat to Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

By Rajarshi Gupta

For the last 14 years, Rahul Dravid has let his bat lash out more than his tongue. So when he talks, they listen, more specifically, the Australians, who are hours away from the first Test against India at Mohali.

A certain off-spinner, who goes by the name of Nathan Hauritz would be listening more keenly than anyone else in the squad from Down Under. ‘The Wall’ seems to have singled the 28-year old for some special treatment and that does not mean a heavy dose of Indian hospitality.

Shane Warne had found that out for himself back in the summer of 1998, where India’s batsmen danced down turning squares and feasted on perhaps the greatest spinner on the planet. Now, if Dravid talks of putting pressure on him, Hauritz should be a very worried cricketer. Not that the Indians know much about the off-spinner, who made his debut against his current hosts in 2004. However, Dravid already has his plans in place.

“To be very fair, I haven’t played Hauritz other the fact that he made his debut against us in 2004, which was a long time ago. I think he is much improved bowler since then.

“Obviously, he is going to be a key component in their attack. As a spinner, in Indian conditions, even if he doesn’t take wickets, he is expected to do a holding job to allow the seamers to rotate. That’s what Shane Warne did brilliantly in 2004 for them.

“The challenge for us would be to put a bit of pressure on him and try and make his life as difficult as possible so that it puts pressure on the rest of the team.”

Since his debut in Mumbai, Hauritz has gone on to play 14 more Tests for the Kangaroos and has done reasonably well with 57 wickets to show for his efforts. Now this is his biggest challenge as the best players of spin in the world face up in front of packed crowds.

However, Dravid, despite his aggressive plans for Hauritz is not ready to discount Australia’s potential as a dangerous side. The former Test invincibles have just been a shadow of themselves over the last two years while India have taken gigantic leaps to rest at the top of tables in Test cricket.

The Aussies, Dravid admits, still are a force to reckon with. So what if Ricky Ponting’s men only managed to draw their two-Test series against an under-powered Pakistan in England, so what if the bowling seems to be a little undercooked- Dravid is still treading a cautious path and rightly so.

“Australia are a good side. Any Australian team is going to be a very good team. I think we would be silly to take them lightly and I don’t think we will.

“They have got some quality players, some very experienced players and some young and exciting talent.”

Dravid, who has been a key figure to India’s rise to the number one Test team in the world, said the series starting from Friday would be as exciting as ever. India-Australia rivalries have over the last decade assumed massive proportions with some of Australia’s battle-hardened seniors bracketing these above the Ashes.

“We believe we have been playing some very good cricket as well. It will be a great series and a very well contested series and like any series between India and Australia, it will have its shares of ups and downs.

“I hope we can win the critical moments and then can end up with the right results. That can only happen if we play good cricket over the period of time over the ten days.”

With 11,490 runs from 142 Tests, Dravid will have a major role to play as India look to flex their muscles in world cricket. Fresh from his stint in the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa, the rock solid number three looks ready for the final assault.
[/tscii:679dfc531c]

http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/international-cricket/news/detail/item507358/Dravid-plans-Hauritz-assault/

[VinodKumar's]

Testing times for Dravid and Ponting

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/479342.html

[sunnyg]

I have been watching Dravid play and over the past few years, his form has declined alarmingly.

He does get an odd fifty here and there but you can see that it is his mental strength that is making him score. His reflexes have slowed down, errors are creeping up and his technique is showing weaknesses.

It is time for him to go out on his own and give way to younger players such as Pujara or even Badri.

It would be ideal to have a mix of young and old in the middle order:

Pujara, Sachin, Laxman, Raina followed by Dhoni.

This would give the youngsters a chance to learn and grow under the tutelage of Sachin and Laxman, atleast for a couple of years. It will also be easier to fill the void as we do not want Sachin, Laxman and Dravid to retire around the same time.

I personally think Saurav played some of his best cricket towards the end of his career and went out with his head held high.

Time for Dravid to do the same and also take a leaf out of his teammate Kumble's book.

SunnyG.

[sunnyg]

No fans for Dravid?

It really is time for you to retire Rahul!

Prove your worth in this last innings at your home ground. You may be a hero everywhere but at Bangalore, you have been a big zero.

Take India to a win tomorrow and then announce your retirement. Do not block young asiprants.

[Dhakshan]

No fans for Dravid?

It really is time for you to retire Rahul!

Prove your worth in this last innings at your home ground. You may be a hero everywhere but at Bangalore, you have been a big zero.

Take India to a win tomorrow and then announce your retirement. Do not block young asiprants.

Avar edatha neenga pudika poringala..
Yaara irukum :think:

[Riyazz]

No fans for Dravid?

It really is time for you to retire Rahul!

Prove your worth in this last innings at your home ground. You may be a hero everywhere but at Bangalore, you have been a big zero.

Take India to a win tomorrow and then announce your retirement. Do not block young asiprants. i m dravid fan. :thumbsup: i support all time

[Maniraj]

dravid rocks. Want him to play more cricket. Such a nice character :thumbsup:
Get back to form soon dravid :cheer:

[wrap07]

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/31217/The-Tendulkar-Dravid-stand

In the general delight over India clean-sweeping Australia in the Test series, one fact passed by, quietly unnoticed. It came in the form of yet another milestone conquered by the two greatest batsmen of India's modern era - Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.

During the second over of their stand, Tendulkar flicked Nathan Hauritz through the mid-wicket region for a single. That single was the 6082nd that these two had scored while batting together, taking them to the second spot in the table for most aggregate runs by a pair of batsmen. At the end of the match they had 6137 runs, and were within touching distance (345 runs) of the all-time mark of 6482 runs by Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

Highest overall partnership runs by a pair of batsmen:

Batting Pair Innings Not Outs Runs Highest Average100s 50s
Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes 148 11 6482 298 47.31 16 26

Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar 121 6 6137 249 53.37 18 24

Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer 122 4 6081 255 51.53 14 28
Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara 79 3 4891 624 64.36 12 21
Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting 76 5 4765 272 67.11 16 22

It is a testament to both their longevity as well as their prolific skill in scoring runs that these two batsmen have scored so many runs together.

Big partnerships are generally the preserve of the openers, and it is no coincidence that the two pairs flanking Dravid and Tendulkar are the two pairs of openers that have themselves been the best in the modern era and also been part of sides that have been the undisputed champions of their respective times. The only other pair of Numbers 3 and 4 on the list are Sangakkara and Jayawardene. While their average is impressive, the huge discrepancy in the runs they score at home versus away from home devalues their record a little. [For more details on their home and away records click here.]

Tendulkar and Dravid face no such discrepancies - in fact Dravid averages significantly higher away than at home. It also worth noting that Tendulkar and Dravid have the highest number of century partnerships of any pair in Test match history. When they bat together for any length of time, they are hard to separate.

It was fitting that the two veterans were at the crease when India clinched a clean-sweep against Australia.

:)

[sathya_1979]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA.

[Maniraj]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA.

:notworthy:

[Thirumaran]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA.

[Maniraj]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA.

:banghead:

[ajaybaskar]

[tscii:c3cbcf2ee1]Anybody came across this...

Asked about Pujara's promotion to the number three slot, Ponting took a jibe at Rahul Dravid. “I had a look at Dravid's record at Bangalore and it's not great. May be they were trying to be proactive and sent someone who can hit at a faster rate,” Ponting said.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article828788.ece[/tscii:c3cbcf2ee1]

[sathya_1979]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA.

:banghead:
:confused2: Y yaar?

[Puliyan_Biryani]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA.

:banghead:
:confused2: Y yaar?
Neenga mark panna soneengalla, adhai avaru mark panni kaattaraaru. indha soora mokkaikku ivlo post vera :banghead:. Vinod varradhukkulla escape aayidanum :yessir:

[Maniraj]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA.

:banghead:
:confused2: Y yaar?

Avaru mark panni irukaaraam :evil:

[Riyazz]

Mark my words, Dravid will be one of the Star performers Vs SA. yepa mudiala :banghead:

[VinodKumar's]

:sigh2:

[Thirumaran]

:rotfl:

[Sourav]

:rotfl2:

[Sourav]

[tscii:349d631bb9]Anybody came across this...

Asked about Pujara's promotion to the number three slot, Ponting took a jibe at Rahul Dravid. “I had a look at Dravid's record at Bangalore and it's not great. May be they were trying to be proactive and sent someone who can hit at a faster rate,” Ponting said.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article828788.ece[/tscii:349d631bb9]
2-0-nu thotthalum ithukkellam koraichale irukkathu.... :evil:

[sathya_1979]

Still licking his wounds from Kolkatta and Adelaide!

[raghavendran]

[tscii:cf94955fde]Anybody came across this...

Asked about Pujara's promotion to the number three slot, Ponting took a jibe at Rahul Dravid. “I had a look at Dravid's record at Bangalore and it's not great. May be they were trying to be proactive and sent someone who can hit at a faster rate,” Ponting said.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article828788.ece[/tscii:cf94955fde]
2-0-nu thotthalum ithukkellam koraichale irukkathu.... :evil:indhe vai mattum illena ivanellam naayi kavvitu poyidum :evil:

[Maniraj]

[tscii:6f0d7dc7f2]Anybody came across this...

Asked about Pujara's promotion to the number three slot, Ponting took a jibe at Rahul Dravid. “I had a look at Dravid's record at Bangalore and it's not great. May be they were trying to be proactive and sent someone who can hit at a faster rate,” Ponting said.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article828788.ece[/tscii:6f0d7dc7f2]
2-0-nu thotthalum ithukkellam koraichale irukkathu.... :evil:indhe vai mattum illena ivanellam naayi kavvitu poyidum :evil:

Yaen.. naai kitta vantha ivaru kadikaraaro :rotfl2:

[Dhakshan]

[tscii:68a21fa465]Anybody came across this...

Asked about Pujara's promotion to the number three slot, Ponting took a jibe at Rahul Dravid. “I had a look at Dravid's record at Bangalore and it's not great. May be they were trying to be proactive and sent someone who can hit at a faster rate,” Ponting said.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article828788.ece[/tscii:68a21fa465]
2-0-nu thotthalum ithukkellam koraichale irukkathu.... :evil:indhe vai mattum illena ivanellam naayi kavvitu poyidum :evil:

Allov Plum oada thanga thalaivar avar.. Apdilaam solla padaadhu :mrgreen:

[raghavendran]

[tscii:708e39f58b]Anybody came across this...

Asked about Pujara's promotion to the number three slot, Ponting took a jibe at Rahul Dravid. “I had a look at Dravid's record at Bangalore and it's not great. May be they were trying to be proactive and sent someone who can hit at a faster rate,” Ponting said.

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article828788.ece[/tscii:708e39f58b]
2-0-nu thotthalum ithukkellam koraichale irukkathu.... :evil:indhe vai mattum illena ivanellam naayi kavvitu poyidum :evil:

Yaen.. naai kitta vantha ivaru kadikaraaro :rotfl2: :lol:

[raghavendran]

this is a gudcomeback for dravid..happy that he is back amongst the runs again :D

[Riyazz]

Yes dravid come back is very happy for me., :happydance:

[wrap07]

Rahul :D :clap: :clap:

[Dhakshan]

Dravid :clap:

[Riyazz]

Dravid thalaiva ne meendum formuku vandhaduku en vazthukal :cheer:

[Rocky89]

nice innings :D

[gane14]

Wall is back :notworthy:

[littlemaster1982]

RD :clap:

Where's Vinod :roll:

[Puliyan_Biryani]

Dravid :clap: :clap: :clap:

Master, mudinja idhellaam konjam enable panni vidungo. Thanks in advance.

http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124946.jpg

http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124918.jpg

http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124920.jpg

http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124917.jpg

[littlemaster1982]

[html:5337402301]http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124946.jpg[/html:5337402301]

[html:5337402301]http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124918.jpg[/html:5337402301]

[html:5337402301]http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124920.jpg[/html:5337402301]

[html:5337402301]http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/124900/124917.jpg[/html:5337402301]

[ajithfederer]

Congrats Dravid :clap:

[VinodKumar's]

Yaeeee ... hope Dravid continues this form ... :redjump: :redjump: :redjump: :redjump: :redjump: :redjump:

[VinodKumar's]

Master,

Konjam vela athigam aagiruchu :( Missing hub badly ... Sikiram vanthuruvaen :)

Puli,

Awesome pictures. :ty:

[Sourav]

‘Wish I could be reborn as Viru’ - Dravid
Nagpur, Nov 22, DH News Service:

'I wish I could be reborn as Viru one day,' Rahul Dravid laughed on Monday evening, a couple of hours after making a monumental 191 on day three of the final Test against New Zealand.

The elegant right-handed batted for nine and a half hours for his runs which, he acknowledged, had taken a lot out of him physically and mentally. “At any stage in my career, batting long has taken a lot out of me,” he noted. “While I love and enjoy batting long periods of time -- I guess I have to bat long periods if I have to score runs! -- I wish I could be reborn as Viru (Sehwag) one day. That would be nice!

“But that’s the way I play,” he said of his measured approach. “That’s me. I like the contest. I like to look at the game not immediately, but 2-3 days ahead. I see if I can build a platform, score some big runs now and see the impact it can have in 2-3 days time as the game progresses. It does take a lot out of you physically, mentally, emotionally; it always has. That’s something I have worked on and enjoyed doing it in some ways.”

Dravid admitted that, at 37, it was inevitable that talk of his future would crop up from time to time if he failed to score in a couple of innings. “You accept the pressure,” he said, candidly. “You know you have to do well at this stage. I don’t think about failure or what people are saying. I give it my best effort.

“You do expect that when you are at a certain age, when you don’t do well, people are going to ask questions. It’s part of being a sportsman. You have to accept it, you can’t complain about it; the only thing to do is keep scoring runs. As long as the team is supporting and backing you, that’s all you can ask for. That’s just part and parcel of being an international cricketer and I have never had any complains about it. All I can ask myself is whether I am giving the best I can, whether I am preparing as well as I can, whether I am ticking all the boxes -- be it physical, technical skills, mental preparation ,in terms of how I am feeling emotionally and spiritually.”

Dravid stressed on the satisfaction he had derived from putting India in a position of strength. “It’s satisfying and nice for me to complete the job,” he remarked. “You see the end result – it’s something I haven’t done for a while. But the credit must go to our bowlers because they got them out for 193. Hopefully now, we can control this Test and try and get them out tomorrow and day after.”

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/115038/wish-could-reborn-viru.html[tscii:1d9ab8e714][/tscii:1d9ab8e714]

[Riyazz]

Nenga palaia formku vandhu yarellam overa pesunangala avanga moonjilla ellam karia poosanumw...

[venkkiram]

வாழ்த்துக்கள்!

நீங்க எல்லா ஆட்டத்திலேயும் இப்படி ஏதாவது செஞ்சுரி கிஞ்சுரி போட்டாதான் உங்களுக்கும் நல்லது, ஆட்டத்திற்கும் நல்லது, எங்களுக்கும் நல்லது.

[Riyazz]

[tscii:679cbf0760]http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/32772/The-statistics-of-victories

The statistics of victories
Bangalore, Mon, Nov 22 2010 , by Saurabh Somani

The third India-New Zealand Test has seen the balance of power restored thus far, with India completely dominant and New Zealand facing a battle they are unlikely to win to even draw the Test match. The architects of India's dominance at the start were the bowlers. Without Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Ishant rose to the occasion magnificently and gladdened the hearts of those Indian fans who are looking ahead at the tour to South Africa, where the trio of Zaheer, Ishant and Sreesanth will be vitally needed.

On Day 3, Indian fans had even more reason to smile, with Rahul Dravid being the principal cause. His career has seen rather more ups and downs in the past 3 years than he has normally been accustomed to [which was explored in the The Phases of Rahul Dravid], but this was an innings that had Dravid close to his best. And Dravid at his best is exactly what India need if they want a successful South African journey. More so, in fact, than any of the other stalwarts in the Indian batting line-up. If history is anything to go by, Dravid's best is going to be more important than those of either Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman or even Sachin Tendulkar.

Since India played its first Test match in 1932, the Indian team has won a total of 35 Test matches away from home. The startling thing about this statistic is not the low number of victories, but how they are spread out. From 1932-1999, the Indian team won a grand total of 13 Test matches away from home. 13 Test victories in 68 years! It was from 2000 onwards that Indian cricket underwent a sea-change - one that started with Sourav Ganguly and John Wright assuming charge - and started winning regularly away from home. The result is that in this decade alone, India has 22 Test victories overseas. A few of those have come against the relatively weaker sides of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Taking those out of the equation, India has won 13 matches away from home - the same number as they won in the first 68 years of playing the game.

This has been possible because India has been truly lucky to have a galaxy of batting greats whose careers have all coincided, which has off-set India's much poorer bowling resources. And amongst the batsmen, none has shone brighter than Rahul Dravid, as the table below illustrates.

Performance in overseas Test wins since January 1, 2000 (excluding Zimbabwe and Bangladesh)

Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Average 100s 50s
Rahul Dravid 13 23 3 1398 69.90 3 7
Sachin Tendulkar 11 18 1 1068 62.82 4 3
Virender Sehwag 10 16 1 908 60.53 3 1
VVS Laxman 12 19 2 965 56.76 2 7
Sourav Ganguly 9 16 4 617 51.42 1 5
MS Dhoni 6 9 0 169 18.78 0 0


Note: I have not included Gautam Gambhir's stats in the table above since he figures in only 2 Test matches amongst the parameters set, which is too few to draw any reasonable conclusions.

This table is all the more remarkable because it includes the 2007-08 period in which Dravid was struggling to put bat to ball - a period in which India won four Tests, with Dravid having only one significant innings across them. That he still comes out on top in the averages is a testament to just how good (and therefore how vital) he has been to India's victories abroad.

However, apart from Dravid, all of India's main batsmen have considerably lifted their performances in Indian wins, as is evident by their averages. All of them - bar Dhoni - have averages that are higher than their career averages. This is particularly evident if one sees the overall record of the batsmen in the period from January 1, 2000 till the end of the second Test against New Zealand.

Overall performance since January 1, 2000 (excluding against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh)

Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Average 100s 50s
Rahul Dravid 97 173 20 7677 50.18 19 37
Sachin Tendulkar 87 149 13 6829 50.21 19 33
Virender Sehwag 76 133 4 7124 55.22 22 22
VVS Laxman 91 151 26 6672 53.38 15 42
Sourav Ganguly 68 117 11 3962 37.38 6 19
MS Dhoni 47 72 7 2455 37.77 4 16
Gautam Gambhir 29 54 3 2389 46.84 7 10


While it serves to illustrate how India's stalwarts have lifted their games in victories, this table is also instructive otherwise. Most evident is the fact that Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman both have very high averages. While most batsmen would naturally feast on the weaker bowling attacks of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, it is reassuring to see that this is not true for Laxman and Sehwag. The theory of Sehwag batting the way he does irrespective of the opponent or the conditions seems to hold true, while Laxman's high average also bears out his propensity to lift his game against tougher opponents. Tendulkar and Dravid have almost identical averages, which are both above 50 - considered to be the watermark for great batsmen.

To round off the stats for the past decade and add to the table of away victories, here are the tables for the Indian batsmen's performances in home victories and for victories overall (both home and away) in the same time period and with the same parameters.

Performance in home victories since January 1, 2000 (excluding Zimbabwe and Bangladesh)

Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Average 100s 50s
Rahul Dravid 19 33 7 1635 62.88 5 7
Sachin Tendulkar 20 34 6 1750 62.50 6 9
Virender Sehwag 16 28 1 1662 61.56 4 9
VVS Laxman 19 29 4 1490 59.60 3 11
Sourav Ganguly 12 20 1 661 34.79 1 2
MS Dhoni 13 18 4 830 59.29 2 7
Gautam Gambhir 10 18 0 594 33.00 2 2




Performance in victories overall since January 1, 2000 (excluding Zimbabwe and Bangladesh)

Matches Innings Not Outs Runs Average 100s 50s
Rahul Dravid 32 56 10 3033 65.93 8 14
Sachin Tendulkar 31 52 7 2818 62.62 10 12
Virender Sehwag 26 44 2 2570 61.19 7 10
VVS Laxman 31 48 6 2455 58.45 5 18
Sourav Ganguly 21 36 5 1278 41.23 2 7
MS Dhoni 19 27 4 999 43.43 2 7
Gautam Gambhir 12 22 1 826 39.33 2 5


What is most evident from these two tables is that Rahul Dravid tops the averages here too - albeit by a narrower margin than he does the 'Away' table. However, the fact that Dravid's average in every combination of victories for India is the highest shows how important he has been to India.

A final table, illustrating each of the batsmen's averages in the three tables that depict wins as a percentage of their overall average further confirms that Dravid's raising his game is the most crucial factor in an Indian victory:

Percentage figures of Averages in wins over normal Average

Average % - Overseas Average % - Home Average % - Overall
Rahul Dravid 139.31% 125.33% 131.41%
Sachin Tendulkar 125.11% 124.47% 124.71%
Virender Sehwag 109.61% 111.46% 110.80%
VVS Laxman 106.35% 111.66% 109.51%
Sourav Ganguly 137.56% 93.08% 110.30%
MS Dhoni 49.72% 156.97% 115.00%
Gautam Gambhir N.A. 70.45% 83.97%


MS Dhoni is most often compared with Sourav Ganguly for his captaincy and the success India has enjoyed under him, but the contrast between Ganguly and Dhoni is marked. While Ganguly raised his game considerably in victories abroad, his performance in victories at home was underwhelming - and the exact opposite is true of Dhoni. Sehwag and Laxman have raised their games by a steady amount in both home and away victories, while Tendulkar has raised it by a significant level. But once again, Dravid stands out. In particular the amount by which his average in 'Away' wins has exceeded his normal average stands out.

Which is why, Rahul Dravid's scoring 191 and looking like a million dollars while doing it, may just be the best news an Indian fan could get with a vitally important 'Away' series coming up.
© Cricbuzz[/tscii:679cbf0760]

[Maniraj]

Images :clap:

Dravid :notworthy:

[Plum]

While Ganguly raised his game considerably in victories abroad, his performance in victories at home was underwhelming - and the exact opposite is true of Dhoni
Interesting.
In the next one year, Dhoni has the opportunity to set this right in SA, England and Australia, Considering his best test form is yet to come, this is a distinct possibility

[Dinesh84]

Rahul Dravid overtakes Brian Lara to become the third highest run getter in international test cricket :clap: :clap: :clap:

[littlemaster1982]

[html:599e5d4576]http://gudies.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/photocms-1.jpg[/html:599e5d4576]

Congratulations to the Great Wall of India for crossing 12000 runs :clap: :clap:

[sathya_1979]

:clap:
He is getting starts but failing to convert to big ones. Hope he does it in next couple of matches.

[Thirumaran]

Rahul Dravid overtakes Brian Lara to become the third highest run getter in international test cricket :clap: :clap: :clap:

yaar athu second la irukirathu.. :evil: Seekiram athayum overtake pannanum :yes:

Dravid :2thumbsup:

[Riyazz]

congrats thalaiva.......... :clap:

[ajaybaskar]

Congrats to the 'Great wall of India' for scaling yet another peak!! :clap:

[lawmani]

A poignant moment.

http://www.mid-day.com/sports/2010/dec/201210-Sachin-Tendulkar-Century-South-Africa.htm

Cricket, esp. Indian cricket, won't be the same without these two. Not Worthy

[Plum]

A poignant moment.

http://www.mid-day.com/sports/2010/dec/201210-Sachin-Tendulkar-Century-South-Africa.htm

Cricket, esp. Indian cricket, won't be the same without these two. Not Worthy

Nice one - that's worth a movie moment. Old comrades, through a lot together, the old reliable waits back for the feted master. Nice poignant touch there. Ofcourse, that is Rahul Dravid, for you.

[ajithfederer]

Congrats Dravid. Overtake ponting in this series itself :yes:

[Bala (Karthik)]

A poignant moment.

http://www.mid-day.com/sports/2010/dec/201210-Sachin-Tendulkar-Century-South-Africa.htm

Cricket, esp. Indian cricket, won't be the same without these two. Not Worthy

Nice one - that's worth a movie moment. Old comrades, through a lot together, the old reliable waits back for the feted master. Nice poignant touch there. Ofcourse, that is Rahul Dravid, for you.
Ippove oru madhiri irukku :(

[ajithfederer]

Dravid - Tendulkar; Enna partnership. Words dont cap that feeling/.


A poignant moment.

http://www.mid-day.com/sports/2010/dec/201210-Sachin-Tendulkar-Century-South-Africa.htm

Cricket, esp. Indian cricket, won't be the same without these two. Not Worthy

Nice one - that's worth a movie moment. Old comrades, through a lot together, the old reliable waits back for the feted master. Nice poignant touch there. Ofcourse, that is Rahul Dravid, for you.

[lawmani]

"Nice one - that's worth a movie moment."
Sachin to Dravid: "Nanbaen da" :)

[Kalyasi]

"Nice one - that's worth a movie moment."
Sachin to Dravid: "Nanbaen da" :)

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid's first international ODI wicket :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FRmfXa-D4

[ajithfederer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lasRBGoDZOs

Sachin Tendulkar 186* Rahul Dravid 153 vs NZ 1999

[Riyazz]

200 catches in test :clap:

[P_R]

Excellent interview of Dravid (http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/485579.html)


What sort of pressure are you under as a slip fielder?
As I said earlier, you must enjoy being a slip fielder. Everyone in the slips drops catches at times. You are putting yourself in a position where you are seen, but you must enjoy the fact that you want to be able to make a play. One of the great joys of being a slip fielder who takes a catch is you are able to contribute to the bowler's success. Yes, you are putting yourself in the firing line if you stuff it up, but you must want to be in that position to make a difference, and recognise sometimes that you might make mistakes. There are no easy catches in the slips.

naan emOsan aayittEn



More than pressure, what is the most challenging thing about standing in the slips in Test cricket? Concentration. At times you will get nothing the whole day, but suddenly in the 110th or 112th over of the match, a sharp chance comes along. You've got to be ready and alert to be able to react. So it is about the concentration, about doing it, day in, day out, over after over, ball after ball.



Between balls I talk to my co-slip fielders. You talk sometimes about the game situation, but lots of other times about various other topics, not cricket. That keep you focused, keeps you relaxed. Like me and [VVS] Laxman talk about kids, house construction, plumbers, electricians, running errands.

:lol:

letchumaNa, vengaayam ketta kEttukku enna velai vikkidhungra

Why I louu this game :clap:

[raajarasigan]

:lol:


So it is about the concentration, about doing it, day in, day out, over after over, ball after ball. :notworthy:

[podaskie]

200 catches :D

[littlemaster1982]

This is Rahul Dravid's 150th test :clap: :clap:

P.S: Where is Vinod these days?

[Riyazz]

150th testa .......... :clap:

congrats Thalaiva..........

[VinodKumar's]

This is Rahul Dravid's 150th test :clap: :clap:

P.S: Where is Vinod these days?

// Master , Thanks for asking :)

Konjam work athigam aagiruchu Master :( Koodiya viraivil varuvaen :)

BTW, Congrats neenga TF and Sports section MOD aanathuku
:2thumbsup: //

[littlemaster1982]

Thank you :)

[VinodKumar's]

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: Happy B'day Rahul !!! Wish you have great year ahead !!! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

[html:5441cc2ccb]http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1091/ogaaabdtoefw16iu2thkxuq.jpg[/html:5441cc2ccb]

[Kalyasi]

Happy B'day Dravida!!

[Riyazz]

Happy Birthday wishes Mr.Rahul Dravid........ :cheer:

[ajithfederer]

Happy Birthday Dravid :).

Hope you blast 2000 runs this year.

[littlemaster1982]

Happy Birthday Dravid :D

[Puliyan_Biryani]

[tscii:6f896ea525]Happy Birthday Jammy :D.

-------------------------------------

An unassuming man called Rahul Dravid

http://blogs.espncricinfo.com/inbox/archives/2011/01/an_unassuming_man_called_rahul.php


A month earlier, the two same men stood at either end of the pitch, two runs away from sealing a 2-0 scoreline against the visiting Australians. For years, the single largest complaint against Tendulkar, unfair as it is, has been his apparent inability to be there at the end and take India to victory. An over before, we were all glued to our sets and wondered whether he would finish it off with a six to silence his detractors, if he would uproot a stump and run with it like a child when we won, and a million other things.

But now Dravid was on strike and would, of course, finish it off himself. Just like he did seven years back, hitting that trademark square-cut boundary to give India their first victory in Australia in 22 years. But we all want Tendulkar to do everything, don’t we? As we sat there watching Mitchell Johnson bowl to Rahul, we prayed he leave every ball alone and strangely he did. The next over Tendulkar won the match for India, took off his helmet, raised both his hands to exult with uncharacteristic emotion, and smiled.

We will never know if Dravid did so intentionally, letting his more-celebrated team-mate have his moment, but it is a tribute to his character and image that we are inclined to believe so. If intentional, it was a selfless act, by a man who has been renowned for the same (remember donning the keeper’s gloves so that India could play both Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif?), and it shamed us for wanting Tendulkar to score those runs.
:notworthy:


When Dravid retires, the nation will lose the greatest No.3 to have ever graced it, and writers will mourn saying that the media never gave him his due. But don’t blame the media, for grace will never overcome the charms of boyish appeal or even spitting fire, traits his best mates Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly so regularly exhibited in that enviable Indian middle order.
:notworthy:[/tscii:6f896ea525]

[littlemaster1982]

For Vinod,

[html:dd37a58ea8]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_SsxoEWOEV3w/SmNcBu217cI/AAAAAAAAAJc/fTJWZrslyUI/s800/Rahul-Dravid-%20Childhood-Memories-Wallpaper.jpg[/html:dd37a58ea8]

[Sourav]

Happy B'day Dravid! :D

[VinodKumar's]

:ty: :ty: :ty: Master. Good one :)

[VinodKumar's]

[tscii:e1319346eb]Bangalore Mirror: Now,I am supporting Royals...

The Tweeple are in a tizzy over Mr Dependable, Rahul Dravid, no longer playing for Bangalore and now being a part of Rajasthan Royals.


One IPL fan, Sagar Poojari, tweeted: Bengaluru ma fav... Dravid shud hv been in RCB..! RCB d letr R itself indicates Rahul..!

Another micro-blogger Sreedhara tweeted, “... Dr Mallya if RCB needs public assistance for gaining back rahul dravid every bangalorean will be willing to give a dollar at least.”

There was more vitriol directed against Mallya who seems set to lose quite a few followers on Twitter. Rahul Mamgain was one of them when he tweeted: Disappointed that U didn’t Pick Rahul Dravid.....will stop Following you”.

Bangalore also seems to have lost several fans like Idrees Moideen, who tweeted, “Nw i am suporting rajasthan royals.. i am the grat fan of RAHUL Dravid....stupid bangalore.”

Not that Rajasthan Royals came in for praise for getting Dravid, the only Indian, on the team. Prasad Pai tweeted, “Rajastan Royals seems to have forgotten its Indian Premear League... Rahul Dravid only Indian till now”. And Uday Rao wanted to know what the RR strategy would be with Rahul as their only Indian player.

‘Rahul Dravid RR’

However, there was some relief that Dravid had at least been bought. As Venkat Kasthala tweeted, “Happy for Rahul Dravid and Laxman. I thought nobody will buy them”.

On Facebook, Asish Cena commented that it was time for Dravid to retire.

Meanwhile, a separate community called “Rahul Dravid RR” has been created. But there were no comments till the time of going to press.

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/20110110201101100115033028df643d/%E2%80%98Now-I-am-supporting-Royals-stupid-B%E2%80%99lore%E2%80%99.html[/tscii:e1319346eb]

[jackamla]

Rahul Dravid is an Indian Cricketer, he is known as The Wall. He was honored as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2000. He took most catches (200) in Test match.

[littlemaster1982]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR-eyyG4lJE&feature=feedu

Rahul Dravid 148 Johannesburg v SA 1997

Vinod, Where is Dravid's thread?. Ok Plum Noted.

It was in archives.


Thanks for sharing, Stan. BTW, where is RD's thread ?? I could see only 16 threads in sports section ? How to search old threads in nee hub ?


BTW, where is RD's thread ?? I could see only 16 threads in sports section ? How to search old threads in nee hub ?

Check here (http://www.mayyam.com/talk/archive/index.php) for any old threads.

[VinodKumar's]

:ty::ty:, Master.

[VinodKumar's]

183

First Bleed Yellow appuram Bleed Blue intha IPL la :-D

[satissh_r]

183

First Bleed Yellow appuram Bleed Blue intha IPL la :-D

Vinod, inga poi Puli kitta unga adharava theruviyinga :)

http://www.mayyam.com/talk/showthread.php?8954-Rajasthan-Royals-Shane-Warne-Rahul-Dravid

[VinodKumar's]

All the best thalaiva ... inniku kalakunga

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_sHDcqwEg3J8/TX3k6hz--1I/AAAAAAAAAK4/7B1sG_2dGlY//dravid (3).png

[VinodKumar's]

Well done , RD. :clap::clap::clap:

Time to convert the starts to big scores.

From Cricinfo

"Dravid ignited the chase with a series of boundaries off Ashok Dinda, but Amit Paunikar missed a wild slog to gift him a wicket. Pathan had shown signs of regaining his famous inswinger in Delhi's first game. Today, however, he resorted to listless offcutters that Dravid pounced upon. With his seamers disappointing, Sehwag resorted to Roelof van der Merwe's spin in the sixth over, and Dravid greeted him with two elegant boundaries. Fifty-seven had come off the Powerplay, and the game was heading Rajasthan's way."

http://i55.tinypic.com/rmuzgp.jpg

[nvikky]

People in this thread should have seen this many many number of times, thought i can share this again as it always feels pleasant seeing this million times.. a perfect classic slip catch by a man who defines cricketing personality.. what a reflex, the way he celebrates shows the wait.. Probably the only wall that holds the ball and never lets it to bounce back when hit at..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY_DYTUiq2s

[ajithfederer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYbsmiT5jL8&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

VVS and Dravid 233 and 148. Finally a video which has both the innings :clap:. A rare stuff.

[VinodKumar's]

Dravid's first odi century popularly knows as Anwar's 194 match .. I am yet to see this innings :(. Evalo kastapattum kedaika maatinguthu.Pakistan innings paatha kadupula namma innings paakala athula miss aagiruchu ...

http://i56.tinypic.com/20qnup2.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

RD :clap: :clap: :clap: ... continue this form for rest of the tournament also ... Chennai kooda adichalum ennala RR jeyikanumnu support panna mudila ... vera team koodalam thaaru maara adinga ...

http://i55.tinypic.com/2qknhx5.jpg

[VinodKumar's]

Watched the highlights of Dravid's yesterday innings :notworthy: that inside out extra cover shot :happydance: Waiting for England and Australia test series.

[ajithfederer]

+1.............

Watched the highlights of Dravid's yesterday innings :notworthy: that inside out extra cover shot :happydance: Waiting for England and Australia test series.

[VinodKumar's]

“When batting gets easier, you must be there to cash in on it"


http://i55.tinypic.com/1z5u15l.jpg

Rahul Dravid's commitment shone through during his memorable century in the Indian second innings here on Wednesday.
Typically, he battled his way through tough periods during his priceless 112 for India; the next highest individual score in the Indian innings was Amit Mishra's 28.
Revealed the resilient Dravid said later, “Rampaul bowled well in the morning. He was very tight. You need to back yourself, enjoy the contest. I knew I had to survive that spell. When batting gets easier, you must be there to cash in on it."
An ideal role model, Dravid has always had words of guidance for the younger batsmen. "I keep telling them to weather the storm, go through the intensity of a spell of probably eight to 12 overs."
Added Dravid, "It's easy to allow the atmosphere to work on your mind, when the deliveries from the quicks are flying around or the spinners are getting a lot of purchase. You need to fight your way out of that phase."
The great batsman recalled an occasion, early in his career, when he had to rely on his self-belief. "It was the Test in Johannesburg in 1997. Donald and Pollock were bowling terrific spells and I thought I would never be able to cope with that sort of bowling. You need to get through it, fight your way, grit your teeth.” Dravid came up with a blood-and-guts hundred in that innings.
Dravid said batting in the scorching heat here at the Sabina Park was demanding physically. “I came here just three days before the Test. The combination of the jet lag, getting up early in the morning, having not played a Test for a long time and playing in these hot conditions has been very tiring.
“You could do as much physical workout in the gym or run laps of the ground but the sheer effort of batting and fielding and staying on the field needs practice. That’s why I have to work harder on my fitness for I know the way I bat, I have to stay in for long periods. But it was a big Test and I was fired up.”
About his hundred here, Dravid said, “I love the contest when you have your back to the wall. It improves your concentration and your focus. I didn’t score many runs for long periods during the innings but probably it was the right thing to do on this pitch. “
This was an effort where Dravid regularly lost partners at the other end. He said, "What’s happening at the other end does not make a difference to me. My job is to focus. When a new batsman comes in, you know the rivals have got their game together and there would be another 12 to 14 overs of intensity.”
Asked about him refusing singles during the early stages of his crucial partnership with Amit Mishra, Dravid said, “I was refusing singles in the first two balls of the over. Sometimes this gets the bowlers to relax mentally and deliver boundary balls."
Although the surface favoured the bowlers, Dravid said it was not a nasty one. “The pitch favours the bowlers slightly and that’s how it should be in Tests. The spinners are getting the ball to turn and the pacemen are extracting bounce. It’s difficult for batsmen if a bowler bowls in the right areas.
The former India captain had words of praise for pacemen Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar. “Ishant has been impressive. And Praveen is a very clever and crafty bowler.”
From an Indian perspective, he called Shivnarine Chanderpaul the dangerman. The West Indian captain, Darren Sammy, admitted he did not sleep well on Tuesday night after having dropped Dravid, on six, off paceman Rampaul on day two.
He gave Dravid credit for a battling hundred. "He did not attempt a pull till he was on 98. That's why he is called The Wall," said Sammy.
Nevertheless, he patted his bowlers for restricting India to a score of below 300 in both the innings.
The West Indian captain also scalped four with his niggardly seamers. "My job is to bowl dot balls and maiden overs and build pressure. That has been my role from the start of my career," Sammy said.


http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article2128240.ece

[VinodKumar's]

Highly skilled and durable

Dravid and Laxman mightn't have the great Curtly Ambrose to contend with, as they did on their first tour in 1997, but they have the task of nursing a batch of young batsmen through the series, of mentoring the next generation so they can eventually take over. There is no doubt Dravid and Laxman will handle it with the dignity and the intelligence that has characterised their storied careers, writes S. Ram Mahesh.

http://www.sportstaronnet.com/images/20110630502100401.jpg

India will forever be indebted to the reassuring firm of Dravid and Laxman. At various stages during the country's ascent to the top of Test cricket, these fine men have, independently but most famously in concert, produced defining performances: resistance, acquisition, resurrection, conquest, they've done it all. Over the next few weeks, in the Caribbean, they find themselves entrusted with another responsibility. Without Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who have done so much as openers to progress India's agenda, and Sachin Tendulkar, who has altered the parameters of how both the great batsman and the old batsman will be judged, Dravid and Laxman become the pivots of India's batting.
Tours of the West Indies are no longer the hellish experiences they were in the past, when no one but the best batsmen (and sometimes not even them) escaped with body and reputation unhurt. But like we have seen, albeit infrequently, an old-fashioned demolition job, especially if the conditions have been arranged just so, isn't beyond West Indies even in its enfeebled state; it has the sort of bowlers batsmen dislike facing, bowlers with pace and inconsistency, so one seldom knows when a hot streak is imminent.
The No. 1 Test team can ill-afford a slip-up — with significant tours of England, a contender for the top spot, and Australia, always a demanding country to visit, scheduled this year, it's vital India leaves the West Indies with a series win. M. S. Dhoni will be glad he can call on Dravid and Laxman, who have served him well during his captaincy: Dravid has made 1613 runs at nearly 49 in 22 Tests; Laxman has 1376 runs at a touch over 49 from 21 Tests.
Although neither is particularly athletic — they are, in essence, ‘skill players' — they know how to get the best out of their bodies over five days, so they can compete with faster, stronger athletes. Their success in extending their careers has helped both India and Dhoni.
Tendulkar, 38, has been the standout in India's council of elders. But Dravid, 38, and, to a greater degree, Laxman, 36, have had remarkable second winds themselves. Dravid, at his best, appeared without flaw — not necessarily technically, for his is a method quirkier than recognised commonly, but mentally. Matthew Hayden, whose job it was to probe opposition cricketers for vulnerabilities, conceded in his autobiography that Dravid gave nothing away; he was, wrote Hayden, the Bjorn Borg of cricket, ice-cool under the severest pressure.
There was a period, since the turn of the millennium to about 2006, when Dravid made an excellent case for being the best in the world. Dravid always had a sound, air-tight defensive technique off either foot (despite the physical frilliness of his batsmanship — a looped backlift and the pronounced use of the wrist just two manifestations of his style). During this period, he found the right blend between defence and attack: his ability to bat time now rendered runs.
Dravid's 148 at Leeds on a bowlers' day in 2002 was the ballast for a famous win. At Adelaide in 2003, he batted 835 minutes over two innings for India's first win in Australia in a generation. Months later, he occupied the crease for more than 12 hours for an innings of 270 that secured India's first series win in Pakistan. When he led India to a series win in West Indies in 2006, he made two of the most magnificent match-winning half-centuries you could hope to see.
On a spiteful under-prepared track at Sabina Park in Jamaica, where even the great Brian Lara looked awkward, Dravid batted with certain touch and precise footwork, showing he would have done just as well in the era of uncovered wickets.
But Dravid slipped from his high standards in 2007 and 2008, averaging 35 and 30 respectively. He seemed unsure of himself, reaching for deliveries he wouldn't have entertained previously and compensating by getting his front-foot too far across. But just as the experts began writing him off, he found his true self in adversity. He averaged 56.22 over 2009 and 2010, often batting with the calm control of old. He mightn't have made many runs in South Africa, but his 31 on the final day of the third Test at Cape Town was a masterpiece in miniature, and it contributed to India saving the match.

http://www.sportstaronnet.com/images/20110630502100402.jpg


Where Dravid induces in his team-mates a sense of calm, a feeling that all is well with the world, Laxman evokes dread in the opposition. No one causes an opposing captain to feel in his bones that somehow a position of strength is going to be turned as frequently as Laxman, trusted with a lost cause, does. Last year alone, he has managed it four times, winning Tests against South Africa in Durban, against Sri Lanka in Colombo and against Australia in Mohali, and making safe the Ahmedabad Test against New Zealand.
Laxman's batting style helps, for he can persuade the ball, with little bodywork, to unprotected parts of the field on fourth- and fifth-day tracks. His play against the break is exceptional, as his play against the swing.
His reach helps him attack spinners aiming at the rough. The ability to play late and without committing the front foot — although his balance is biased forward — serves him well when countering reverse-swing. His gift for timing cricket balls that have aged and gone soft is just as incredible. As a result, despite not being a notable hitter of the ball and despite being an unhurried runner between wickets, he can score quickly, transferring pressure. He also bats better with the tail than anyone.
Laxman will not be judged by numbers, for his influence has transcended that, but the stats stack up very well. The only caveat to an exceptional last two years — he's averaged over 67 — is his conversion rate, but the sheer number of matches he has won more than makes up. For a while he was a maker of great innings, but the consistency of his performances and their weight ensure he will be remembered as a great batsman as well.
Not only do Dravid and Laxman have excellent records in the West Indies, they also love playing in the Caribbean. “I grew up to my dad turning the radio on and hearing commentary about Gavaskar scoring hundreds against the fast bowlers. Those were days when I used to dream about playing here,” said Dravid recently. “You want to come here and play in front of passionate crowds. Even when you are walking on the street they seem to know so much about your scores. My ambition to play here in the West Indies has never changed.”

http://www.sportstaronnet.com/images/20110630502100403.jpg


Dravid and Laxman mightn't have the great Curtly Ambrose to contend with, as they did on their first tour in 1997, but they have the task of nursing a batch of young batsmen through the series, of mentoring the next generation so they can eventually take over.
There is no doubt Dravid and Laxman will handle it with the dignity and the intelligence that has characterised their storied careers.

http://www.sportstaronnet.com/stories/20110630502100400.htm

[Dinesh84]

:clap: Terrific innings.. want him to reach at least to 40 test centuries