Sachin intends to play the 2011 World Cup. He will, in spite of form or fitness. He will, because that is his destiny, it has been written by him, endorsed by the BCCI.
Part of that vision is Sachin lifting the World Cup together with MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Rahul Dravid.
Each one of these players is key to Sachin’s plans. While MS is captain, and should still be in 2011,Yuvi and Bhajji are Sachin’s core group. They are his comfort zone. Together they are the collective face of Indian cricket.
Then what about Rahul Dravid? Dravid is a strong reminder that the 90’s master class is far superior to today’s flash of youth. He’s a flashback to both his and Sachin’s glory days. His return, more than even Sachin’s, states unequivocally that the young guns are not a patch on the fab four.
It does not matter how many of the fab four remain, what matters is the latest battle between then and now has been won yet again by India’s fab four.
The resting of the so-called next Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma is a case in point. Rohit, the brightest of the next generation swagger has fallen. Raina, Yusuf, Karthik are not indicative of now as Rohit is.
Just as Dravid and Sachin are indicative of then. Look back beyond Sharma’s scattered scoring, look at his scattered positions in the batting order. Was this all meant to be?
Yet again, Sachin and Rahul will take the field in blue together. How well it wears on him is not important, that he has returned is what’s crucial. More so to co-author Sachin Tendulkar’s legacy.
Here's another take on Rahul Dravid at Bored Cricket Crazy Indians: Living in the past?
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12 comments:
interesting angle NC...though i dont see dravid lasting till 2011 world cup (i dont see sachin either but that's another matter) the world cup will be played subcontinental conditions where i don't see india burdening himself with another aged flat footed player...
There's a clear difference in RD, the batsman now, and when he was dropped two years back. He's far more expressive, in and post match.
Think he's a better bet (at least fitness wise) than SRT.
Physical fitness has never been an issue with RD - and I think fielding is far more crucial in T20s than in ODIs. And didn't his IPL team make the finals.
There too he delivered, both on and off pitch.
intresting point NC. Rohit Sharma doesnt belong to the stage as of now. its proved. may be he is a poor man's raina of first era (Chappell-Dravid)....
some time in the Ranjis might get him the spark he hasnt able to show us.
as for RD, he has shown that experience still counts. physical fitness has never been an issue with him. and if he is fit and performing, then why not have him in wc 11.
age is a slippery judgement to make for the players. just cos one is 37 and yet he is performing, he would be axed and other one is 23 and not performing he wud be given in chances, i dont think that makes a fair call.
I don't think RD will be around when 2011 comes around.. definitely not..
I seriously believe that RD's inclusion first in the 30 and then later in the final squad was due to Sehwag's injury.. without Sehwag india's ODI batting looks a but thin.. with RD in it, it gives it a better look..
India's top 7 for the Champs trophy will probably look like:
Sachin
Gambhir
Raina
Yuvraj
Dravid
Dhoni
YP
With Sehwag back in the fold, there is no place for RD in the ODI team.. Sehwag will fit at the top and Gambhir & co will move one spot lower..
Sam, yeah, Dravd's been very fit, after Kapil, think he's played the most continuous tests for India, right - or did he break that record?
When you see guys like Sanath and Lara, the age argument goes out of the window, but then it's more the exception than the rule.
Q, I won't go so far to rule Dravid out of contention for 2011, far from it - he's got a fighting chance, just as Raina, Sehwag, Gambhir, Yusuf, Rohit.
The way ODI teams pan out in India are strange.
To try an answer you and SP, I wrote this at Bored.
He has not annonuced his retirement so why we are surprised at his selection, he might not be at a level where he was but in the absence of Sachin and Sehwag Indian team needs somebody in the middle order who has experience and class the youngsters are too cocky and flashy, I think Rohit and Raina they need some more time.
I don't foresee him playing in the next WC.
Wasim, 2 years back RD was dropped by Vengsarkar, now he's been picked by Srikanth.
Think he will play 2011. RD seems to be at peace.
friends.......iam sure dat thrs more chance to loose 2011 wc if dravid s not thr...coz even yuvi, raina n yougsters r not trustable 4 all d matches..at dat we surely needs our WALL...dat legend ll save d mathches...coz the respect should given to the amazing cricket legend rahul....
friends.......iam sure dat thrs more chance to loose 2011 wc if dravid s not thr...coz even yuvi, raina n yougsters r not trustable 4 all d matches..at dat time we surely needs our WALL...dat legend ll save d mathches...coz the respect should given to the amazing cricket legend rahul....
to be honest..iam sure dat thrs more chance to loose 2011 wc if dravid is not thr...coz even yuvi, raina n yougsters r not trustable 4 all d matches..at dat we surely needs our WALL...dat legend ll save d mathches...coz the respect should given to the amazing cricket legend rahul....
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