Big responsibility on Mr Reliable

Christened ‘The Wall’, this Mr Dependable lends Indian middle-order the much-needed credibility. Seldom to disappoint, Rahul Dravi...

Christened ‘The Wall’, this Mr Dependable lends Indian middle-order the much-needed credibility. Seldom to disappoint, Rahul Dravid is a class act, one who can drop an anchor and frustrate the best of opposition at all times. His willingness to attack of late at every given opportunity also makes Dravid a modern day celebrity with an old-fashioned charm.

Highest run-getter in the 1999 World Cup in England (he scored 461 runs) with two centuries, Dravid would be the man to watch in South Africa. Battle-hardened and vice-captain of the team, the seasoned pro has often shown that the best in business find challenging to claim his number.

Greatest WC moment

Dravid was forever the Test batsman, even after he slammed an unbeaten 104 off a 109 balls against Kenya in the match before this one. But this innings of 145, scored off only 129 balls, in a world record second wicket stand of 318 with Sourav Ganguly, firmly silenced his critics. At least for the time being. What was special about this innings in Taunton, from both the batsmen, was their shot selection. Dravid, ever the purist, played not one shot out of cue, ending up proving one of the longest-standing anti-one day international argument incorrect. That it is not possible to score quickly without resorting to unorthodoxy and improvisation. Sri Lanka, needless to say, lost the match comprehensively, by 157 runs.

This time round, Dravid would also be donning the gloves behind the stumps and by his own admission he would love to rise to the challenge. That he has already kept wickets for one game during the 1999 World Cup would also add to his experience.

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Talented, cool and a motivator, Dravid has the skills to counter both pace and spin, his eight centuries and 42 fifties from 196 one-dayers stand as a testimony to that. He would surely like to imrpove on that.

HEAD TO HEAD

India’s vice-captain is the batsman to watch out for in a crisis situation. if he drops anchor then rival bowlers will have a real tough time.

AUSTRALIA
Shane Warne has been Dravid’s nemesis. Despite being a good player against spinners, he has often succumbed to the guiles of ‘The Sheik of Tweak’. The cat and mouse game would once again be on display when India play Australia in the second league game and Dravid would look to settle scores.

PAKISTAN
Shoaib Akhtar: The tearaway fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar has managed to break through The Wall a couple of times. That, however, hasn’t deterred Dravid from taking his attack to Akhtar.
While Dravid would again relish to thrive against the pace of Akhtar, the bowler will be keen to send the stumps on a cartwheel.

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ZIMBABWE
Douglas Hondo, the Zimbabwean medium-pacer has been on the receiving end most of times he has to bowled to Dravid. But Hondo has had his share as well. Among all other Zimbabwe bowlers, Hondo was one who could get past Dravid’s solid defence and his team would expect Hondo to do it again when the two sides meet in the World Cup.