The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Dravid did not get a fair deal

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Monday, Oct 29, 2007
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Dravid did not get a fair deal

Ahmedabad: Former India captain Rahul Dravid, who was not selected in the 15 for the first two ODIs against Pakistan, was in Mumbai when the Chairman of the national selection committee Dilip Vengsarkar said: “He has been given a break, he’s a great player and he has to improve his form and fitness.”

In his column in a national daily, Vengsarkar had written: “He (Dravid) must remember that this is a team for just two ODIs and I am sure he will make a comeback, sooner than later.”

To Vengsarkar’s credit, he also mentioned that what applies to Dravid applies to all the players.

If runs and averages are an index, then Dravid ought to have been in the team, irrespective of his dismal showing against Australia. In the 2004-05 series against Pakistan, Dravid averaged 51.33 and in 2006 he averaged 41.00.

Total commitment

The Karnataka player cannot be measured by his runs alone; his attitude and commitment should also be taken into account. “No one can ever point a finger at his commitment, he’s a team man,” said a selector.

India can ill afford to drop a batsman of Dravid’s calibre for the Test series. It’s not known if Dravid would play in the Ranji match against Mumbai to prove his form and fitness.

The wheel of fortune has been cruel to Dravid but he has taken everything in his stride. One only hopes that Vengsarkar’s decision would not rush him to the extreme step. — Special Correspondent

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