Nagpur, Nov. 22: Looking fitter than he has ever had, Rahul Dravid continues to hang a heavy price tag on his wicket. Constant murmurs calling for his head have been brushed aside with runs. Obviously disappointed at having missed his sixth double hundred on the day, the stalwart was still happy to have contributed to the team.
Midway through addressing the media here, Dravid joked “I wish to be reborn as Viru one day’” when asked how much the body tires when batting for long hours. Given his style he has had to bat long to pile up those tall scores but never has been the one to complain. Always the silent performer while the swashbuckler hogged the limelight, Dravid continues in his devoted pursuit.
After looking rusty in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, the flow returned here. In the past Dravid has spoken in detail on the constant demand of having to work on the game.
“I got out to the left-arm seamers against Australia two or three times, it was disappointing. I went back to the NCA and also worked with Gary Kirsten to iron out a flew flaws. Tried to hit as straight as possible rather than opening my bat-face. I felt that I was opening it up towards covers too much rather than driving straight,” explained Dravid.
For a player who faced undue criticism in the last season, he said the people who had questioned his place in the side had a right to. “You do expect these things. When you are at a certain age and don’t do well people are going to ask questions. It is part of being a sportsman and you have to accept it and can’t complain. The only way to answer is keep scoring runs. As long as the team is supporting and backing you it’s fine. I have never had any complains about people questioning my place,” added Dravid.
Dravid continues to give his best and takes great pride in his performances. “I can only be worried about whether I am preparing as well as I can,” said Dravid.
The veteran is one short of 200 Test catches, a few hits away from Brian Lara’s tally, a mere 57 short of 12,000 runs and three caps shy of joining a illustrious band who have played 150 Tests. All these landmarks should be in the pocket by the end of the tour to South Africa. And when leaves the scene it will have to be solely Dravid’s decision.