The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : A crucial Test for Rahul Dravid

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Friday, Jun 30, 2006

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A crucial Test for Rahul Dravid

If India wins at Sabina Park, the fans back home will dismiss the one-day loss as a mere blip, writes Vivian Richards

The pressure on the Indian team will be tremendous as they ready themselves to play the final Test in Jamaica. They had landed in West Indies six weeks ago expecting to sweep the one-day and Test series as so many teams before them had. They were defeated in the one-dayers by a 4-1 margin, and though they dominated the first two Tests, they just could not land the killer blow. Rahul Dravid and his men will know that if they return from the West Indies with nothing to show for their efforts, it would be seen as a big failure.

This is not to say that the Indians have not played good cricket in patches. The wickets have really been a problem for their rather inexperienced pace bowling attack. In the first two Tests, there was just Anil Kumble trying manfully with a bunch of fledgling pacers. I think Munaf Patel has some potential, but he along with S. Sreesanth and V.R.V. Singh are just taking baby steps in international cricket. To make matters worse, Irfan Pathan is going through a slump, leaving the Indian pace bowling attack with very little experience.

Traditionally a pacy track

Sabina Park has provided a pacy track for the last four Tests played there. If, and that is a big if, a similar track is prepared for this Test, it would be the ideal platform for Pathan to rediscover his form.

Every pace bowler goes through a period of crisis, and that is when he should remember the good times. I was present at his debut Test in Sydney, where he took the prized wickets of Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist.

He had pace, cut and movement in that Test, and he must remember spells like that one during this period of uncertainty.

The West Indies too are not without their share of problems in the pace department. The loss of Fidel Edwards is still hampering Brian Lara, and his current set of pacers too has fitness issues. They broke down at crucial moments in each of the three Tests, and it is an area that needs looking into.

However, the West Indies will consider the 0-0 scoreline as a reflection of their resilience in some trying moments.

Showing character

I think the determination showed by the last pair at Antigua was crucial. Normally, the West Indians would have folded up without a fight, but that pair showed a lot of character. Similarly, though a day was lost at St. Lucia, Brian Lara really led from the front to save his team from a loss. It was a captain's knock, and I think it galvanised the rest of the batsmen, who put in a better performance at St. Kitts.

It all now boils down to this one Test. The hosts have a good record on this ground, even in the recent past. They just have to keep up the good work they started in the last Test, and then hope their bowlers stay fit and disciplined right through the Test.

This must be a crucial Test for Rahul Dravid. He has had a good run as captain so far. If he wins at Sabina Park the fans back home will dismiss the one-day loss as a mere blip. Going home empty-handed is not a scenario he would like to imagine right now.

(Gameplan)

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