Rajat Subhra Chatterjee
During 2003 World Cup, captain Ganguly had one dilemma – to fix his playing XI with utmost compactability in team combination. He had three genuine pacers in Sreenath, Zahir and Nehra and one spinner Harbhajan. He was reluctantly willing even to sacrifice Kumble as he had to bolster his batting down to no 7 for which he had to include Dinesh Mongia as a batter cum left arm spinner. Yet things were not falling in place. He was wishing a wicket keeper batsman to fit in at no 5 or 6. So he persuaded Rahul Dravid to keep wickets and lend solidity to batting. That worked wonders as Dravid did his job splendidly. It was not only a friend’s offer to another. It was sheer ‘asking’ for team combination. Both the buddies were happy and things rolled on.
That during 2006, under Grieg Chappell when Rahul was the captain, sun did not shown brightly between the two, yet Rahul had very little to do with the situation as he was under the ‘all devouring‘ control of a towering inferno, which ultimately brought Indian cricket down to ashes. With the exit of that bad destructive motive from Indian cricket, Rahul and Sourav continued merrily.
More than a decade has gone by, both have retired from playing the game, yet both have remained connected and associated with the game in different capacities. Rahul in unearthing new talents and Sourav in running the affairs of the Cricket Administration in a new style and most importantly, more transparently. Cricket was never run in the country ever before as, being a former successful captain, Sourav has been leading his men, this time off the field, with same acumen, and astute leadership. He knew, as the Board President, that readiness of the 2nd string and a strong bench strength is that much important as ageing cricketers would be retiring soon. He installed Dravid at the NCA as its Director. Dravid with his most correct technique was thought rightly to be ideal for youngsters to be groomed. In the process, Dravid took under 19 India squad to World Cup victory, toured successfully with the Colts simultaneously and continued sharpening skills of his wards at the NCA. He has been very happy to have been working with the younger lot. And the glitter and glamour of handling Team India has never been an imagery for him.
But his friend Sourav, the Board President wanted the best man for the hot seat. There were few more candidates, yet if possible, why not jump for the best option available ? So negotiation started and failed. Dravid was reluctant to handle Team India as he felt that working with youngsters are fun and challenging. And meaningfully, contributing.
Sourav was relentless. He fixed his eyes on Dravid. Sending feelers also could not convince Dravid who might be thinking, if Sourav too was equally keen to get him on board as Team India coach after Ravi Shastri ! So the Board President had to step in directly and invited Rahul all the way to Dubai during the just concluded IPL final. Once an across the table heart-heart was done with, came out the solution. Dravid accepted the offer.
The above are the chronological culmination of a big deal and achievement. But if one has to go deeper into this, then only, Dravid’s acceptance of Sourav’s offer could be evaluated in proper perspectives. Technically the best Indian batsman after Gavaskar, Dravid, a sauve, quite and highly respected person with clean image was necessary to handle Team India as in recent past, there have been too much noise being created by the outgoing coach and seemingly uncontrollable skipper. Shouting and citing as the ‘ best traveling Indian side ever ’, Ravi Shastri did little credit to himself. Admittedly, few spectacular wins here and there, notwithstanding, dismissing the earlier achievements altogether, only to beat his own trumpet has not been taken well by the fans and the powers that mattered. Consequently, Kohli’s increasing on-field antics and gestures were becoming close to obscenity and vulgarism. It became high on checklist to subdue this by some one who has a cool brain on a broad shoulder. A serious mind, not a strong head neither a joker was being searched. And that’s how Rahul Dravid has been zeroed in.
Rahul, always played second fiddle to Sachin who had heavenly natural abundance or the treasured leader Sourav who was God gifted, yet, actually, his cricket had been the role of a savior to Sachin or Sourav many times. Rahul did not possess the charisma or grace of his two team mates, but actually in effectiveness, he has never been second to anyone. His achievements and more importantly for his never-say-die attitude, got him conferred with the title ‘The Wall’, most appropriately. His attitude of run, run and run, to aim for improvement will also be visible, one imagines, in the quest of the peak for Indian Cricket. Dravid knows surely what would be his task. He may be re-starting his unfinished job where he had ended a decade back to get to the top. As Sourav redirected Indian cricket’s scenario, Dravid too, in his second innings will remain engrossed to get Indian cricket to the very top in his own way. It is expected, and all are convinced that Dravid will bring in sanity in behavioural pattern of the team without compromising the fierce competitiveness. The cultural transformation is very much necessary for Indian cricket to really become World Champion, not only on paper but on the field of the game too.
So thus begins ‘Dravid Era’ in Indian Cricket !!
Featured Image : Courtesy : gulfnews.com
