The Hindu : Sport : A fine start for Rahul Dravid

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 29, 2005

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A fine start for Rahul Dravid

Dravid is a determined but modest man happy to lead but willing to serve

PETER ROEBUCK

Rahul Dravid has made a fine start to his first stint as Indian captain. Daring leadership and bold batting lay behind his team's victory over Sri Lanka in the opening round of the current engagement. Manifestly the Bangalorean has found the confidence needed to take his side in a direction of his choosing.

First stint as captain? Previously Dravid has merely been a temporary replacement for the incumbent. As a loyalist, he has not wanted to impose his own viewpoints on the team. Rather he tried to maintain the approach instilled by Sourav.

Nothing is more unsettling for a team than a vice-captain trying to outshine his leader. Supportive senior players reinforce a captain's strengths and cover up his weaknesses. With destructive senior men it is the other way around.

As his conduct confirmed a hundred times, Dravid is not the jealous type hankering after power. Rather he is a determined but modest man happy to lead but willing to serve. In any case, his respect for his captain reflected the mood of the team and the performance of the side.

Ganguly has been a highly successful skipper. Never forget that the Bengali played his part in transforming a team that had fallen into bad habits. He turned a fractured side into a fighting unit. Ganguly's weakness has not been vanity but laziness.

Different situation

Now Dravid's situation is different. Now he has the captaincy in his own right. Although nothing official has emerged from wherever Indian cricket is being run this week, or from whichever officials are currently in charge, it's clear that Dravid has become the true captain of his country.

Admittedly, he has only been appointed for two one-day series but he must sense that Ganguly has led the side for the last time.

Accordingly, Dravid is free to put his imprint on the side. He has the experience and intelligence to make his mark. Doubtless he has observed the strategies adopted by highly regarded captains like Mark Taylor and Arjuna Ranatunga. Yet, there is no blueprint for leadership.

Every man must find his own path. Dravid can study these fellows yet the learning must not inhibit his own style. He must be himself and not a watered down version of someone else.

In his early years Steve Waugh's captaincy suffered because he tried to copy Taylor. He'd take risks and set surprising fields because he thought they were expected. It did not work. Taylor was an intuitive captain whereas Waugh's strength lay in his intensity. Not until he backed his own qualities did the Bankstown boy emerge from the shadows. Now Ricky Ponting is falling into the trap of imitating Waugh.

Aggressive thinking

Judging by the team chosen and the tactics pursued in his first match, Dravid intends to spring a few surprises. Inclined towards caution at the crease, he showed an ability to think aggressively and to act in the heat.

As a rule brave decisions are rewarded because they create a confidence felt by players on both sides. The hardest thing in cricket is to keep thinking positively.

Of course, Dravid's captaincy has only just begun. No day can be judged till night has fallen. He must continue to rejuvenate older players and rebuild a desire to excel in wealthy youngsters. Not that a cricket captain can do everything himself. He needs help from his senior men. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag can be the making and breaking of the side.

The time has come for them to slip into the shoes Dravid has worn so impressively for the last few years.

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