Rahul Dravid prepares for The Oval.

First posted on Bored

When did you know about Lord's

By now you’d think the Lord’s defeat was an open secret. I made an Early Bored Call at Reverse Swept Radio – “India will win Lord’s” around the 8th minute. To add some levity I also predicted India will win 4-0 along with a SRT 100.

Quite a few bloggers called Lord’s. Why don’t journalists make such calls?

When do you think India knew they were going to lose – when they saw the previous records and scorecards? After the ‘make it large’ spoof ads? After Zaheer walked away? When Yuvraj walked in? When Amit Mishra came on? When Saha came on, did Saha come on? How many extras can you have on the field before you realize, this is not the team I went in with? When MSD bowled? When Kapil Dev mocked him for making a mockery? When Raina bowled?

When Dravid was dismissed on the fifth morning. And flung his bat at an imaginary fly. He knew. It was good enough for me.

So is it correct to say that Dravid lost us the game for he was the only one who could have saved us?

Sehwag’s mouth to mouth for test cricket.

Take it you saw Sehwag’s innings today, if you didn’t, you will – in the future, it is the future. It just did a mouth-to-mouth for test cricket, how else will you watch him bat for six hours?

Spare a thought for Rahul Dravid, he was there, as he often is. Living his second cricket childhood, when last did you see him box, pat, hug, laugh, grin – always felt, there’s something special when these two bat together; if it’s not a world record threatening 400 something opening partnership, it’s the encouragement you give a friend, an ally, a believer.

Sehwag and Dravid have all that, and some unspoken code of respect and trust. There is a calm that descends upon the two when they partner each other.

My mind goes back to the World Cup 2007 game against Bermuda, captain, Dravid’s ‘stay there’ gesture to Viru.

Today they stayed there. And even though Viru scored all those runs, I’d like to believe, a friend’s gentle nudge goes a long way. It can be lonely when you’re two against eleven.

On Bored: Jatman Sehwag

Not that funny.

Rahul Dravid made 177 test runs in a day. You find that funny, laugh. When last did Dravid make so many test runs in a day? Oh, just yesterday. Yeah right, after yesterday’s innings it looks like Dravid makes them all the time.

For some strange reason I’m thinking of Wasim Jaffer. Not entirely because of the egg ad conversations, but because of this Jaffer-Dravid p'ship at the Kotla.

Jaffer was hitting it like Dravid. For some reason it was tough to tell who was who – Jaffer was playing like he had turned up for a Ranji game. Even I was impressed. That when I knew he was at best stopgap, and this was possibly the last time I’d watch Jaffer at the Kotla. But he was smoking.

Back to Dravid. He had his cigar. And even though it’s more than four years, I lit up too.

But it wasn’t to blow smoke on any selectors, it was plain damn indulgence. When was the last time we said that about a Rahul Dravid innings? Yesterday. And hopefully today.

And if not, it’s still okay – because no matter how many runs you make Rahul, I’m still curious, what are you to Indian cricket – not as a batsman or a slip fielder, but as cricketing impact?

Yesterday we saw Sachin’s impact, c'mon place some cards on the table. It’s all about 2011. How many runs will it take to make you talk, 320? I'm waiting, but you shouldn't.


On Bored: Rahul Dravid's unnatural innings

The third man

Sachin plays as he pleases, Saurav’s retired, and Rahul plays Ranji.

As I check the Ranji scores, many cricket worlds emerge – there’s clarity, beyond bias, more like a future truth, who will be the last man standing?

Good for Dravid, every now and then his sense of humour returns: asked about the dilapidated Delhi team that Karnataka plays, he reminds you of the Aussies.

There’s a test coming, it’s Rahul vs Sachin again.

No mercy.

A few years back Rahul Dravid was dropped from the one-day side. Today the Lankans dropped him. Thrice.

Why Dravid has returned in Sri Lanka

To sweat like a slave, to empty helmet fulls of that sweat, to wet his shirt with that sweat – till you ask, is that t his second skin? A third umpire should look into this, you just can’t water the wicket with sweat even if it has 10k runs behind it.

When they talk of dew, they should take samples and check for traces of Dravid’s sweat in it.


On Bored: the lowdown and the mighty @Compaq Cup Tri series

One day Trott will play.

England will have lost the one-day series by then. 7-0, barring rain or Ponting’s helping hand. Trott will be better off at Warwickshire with the freewheeling Sreesanth.

England can wait, soon Trott will be an accomplished test and county cricketer on the wrong side of 30. It’s only teams like South Africa, India and Sri Lanka who rush in test stars like Duminy, Dravid and Samarweera to play one day cricket.

When contacted the ECB claimed Trott was not interested in the IPL.

The fly by night batsman

Like history, Robin Uthappa repeats himself. He’s not one of those batsmen who invent ways to get out. He has trademarked his dismissal.

Today at the Sahara BCCI Corporate trophy (what a brilliant name) he tried to kill a bird, no a plane, no superman. He hooked, no pulled, no miss-timed one beyond the Ozone.

It didn’t go beyond the thirty yard circle. The keeper, whoever he was, gloved it.

Dravid, looked on from slip, like only he can, studiously, taking mental notes.
You can be sure Dravid will speak to Uthappa after the game. They are teammates after all, at Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Finally, all cricketers will be teammates. If not in the Blues, then in Tata Reds, India Cement, the IPL, erstwhile ICL, Warwickshire, Hong Kong Super Sixes, Beach cricket, Alpine cricket.

No wonder they call cricket a team sport.

No small coincidence

The Wall plays for India Cements.

Has Rahul Dravid returned for Sachin Tendulkar?

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?

Look who wants to have Freddie's baby.

Is that the difference between Freddy and Rahul?

(from March 24, 2006, Freddie vs India)

It didn’t matter who had an upset stomach, a bad back or a pulled muscle. It didn’t matter whether captain, vice captain, ace bowler, spin bowler, all were out of action. It didn’t matter how many players made their test debuts. It didn’t matter how young or old the new bunch were. Andrew Flintoff could have been the last Englishman standing and he still would have knocked the stuffing out of the Indians. They don’t call him their talisman for nothing.

The first big bang was in the summer of 2005 when Flintoff finally walked, no, ran out of Botham’s shadow - 402 runs and 24 wickets in five Tests, setting up the most famous Ashes win ever - one that captured the imagination of a nation and elevated Freddy and cricket to superstar and super-sport status. No longer was cricket soccer’s poor cousin that only suited white sahibs, old fogies and the balmy army watched. Suddenly, Flintoff was bending it like, if not better than Beckham. England was truly taking a reverse swing.

Chew on this; Andrew Flintoff: Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2004, ICC One-Day Player of the Year 2004 ICC Player of the Year 2005, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2005, Awarded the MBE on 31st December 2005. Freddy Flintoff is all this and more. Undoubtedly, the world’s top all rounder, Flintoff is at the peak of his powers today; not content to be England’s most feared bowler and batsman, he now has the makings of one hell of a shrewd captain. Through all this he even manages one of those disarmingly boyish grins that has English lasses hooting on their Ts –“ Freddy! I want to have your baby”

However, in the 6’ 4” Big Daddy’s path stood a formidable adversary: The Wall, arguably the most dependable test batsman in the world today – how else does one explain the team’s triumphs in the last five-six years. Through these years, it might have been Sachin, Sehwag and Laxman who pulled the killer blows in tests, and got all the hot press and kudos, but rarely, if ever, any Indian win in the past few years has been achieved without a serious contribution from Dravid.

Starting in Kolkata 2001 scoring 180 to partner Laxman’s 281 against Australia; followed by match saving innings at Port Elizabeth, Georgetown and Trent Bridge, and match winning ones at Headlingley, Adelaide, Kandy and Rawalpindi – all this while making four centuries in successive innings, and four double-centuries in 15 Tests. Sample this; Rahul Dravid: Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2000, ICC Test Player of the Year 2004, ICC Player of the Year 2004. And yes, if India had an MBE, he sure would’ve had one too. But when, if ever, did you see a desi kudi in a T-shirt saying “Rahul I want to have your….”

At the start of the India-England test series, Dravid was the more experienced captain and player (a test series in Pakistan, a few ODI series and nearly100 tests compared to Flintoff’s 56); where as Flintoff had the added burden of bowling, often long spells in the hot ‘n muggy Indian summer.

In the final analysis, it might just boil down to the t-shirt quote. After all, how difficult can it be to inspire 10 men when you have an entire nation at your feet? Freddy Flintoff rode the wave, was proclaimed as Lord Rama by the press, and did the impossible – take on India in its own backyard.

Whereas Rahul Dravid at best could rely on his own doggedness and never say die attitude. Meanwhile immortals like Sachin were being booed, Sehwag was sluggish, there was no VVS to partner, the Yuvraj and Kaif selection issue was back to haunt, the Chappell-Ganguly skirmishes were on, and Kumble was the next most reliable batsman after the Wall.

Cricket has rarely been so black and white. It was two deliveries that cost India the test series in Pakistan, and another two the series against England. Two were bowled in the last test at Karachi. Two in the last test in Mumbai. All at Rahul Dravid. And in spite of everything Dravid did, he lost the test series to Pakistan and couldn’t win it against England. The final blow in the Mumbai test 2nd innings: Dravid caught by Jones for 8 off the bowling of Flintoff, who else?

In the India-England test series, two players gave it their all and some more. One had other players whom he could rely on and call his team. Think the English girls might call this bloke Freddy Teddy.


for more Freddie's babies, here you go -

The spinner and his batsman friend - I

Two of you, just two of you
From one end of the world to the other
Many long years, so many long years
With you close like your sport's kit
I said with you close like your sport's kit
There ain’t no start there ain’t no end
You’ll be there till you go round the bend
From god knows when to god knows when
You start it off you see it through
The spinner and his batsman friend
They said little yet they said a lot
Actions speak louder than words
I said actions speak louder
Than words
The spinner and his batsman friend

Mahi, leave Badri alone.

On second thoughts, don’t. Stand by him, back him, embrace him. Like you embraced Yuvraj Singh, RP Singh, Harbhajan Singh. What’s the problem? Is he too far South for you? Think about it Mahi, India has embraced you, from the heartland down to the South - you are the CSK skipper, and their icon, aren’t you? How will it be to back a boy from far down South for a change – like you back Suresh Raina, Praveen Kumar, Rohit Sharma. How tough is it to bat Badri in one slot, and not in every position of the Cricket Kama Sutra?

The guy won you game in Lanka, caught a blinder, but didn’t play again after 3 ODIs, where all did he bat then? And where all have you batted him in the IPL – think you gotta figure something here Mahi, Badri is possibly at his wits’ end, he lashed out at the selectors, don’t think he’s doing himself any favours here.

You can either make Badri work for you, or you can just dump him. It won’t be hard to dump him, he’ll be just another first class asset wasted. And then there’s always the strong logic that this was the era of Sachin, Rahul, VVS, Saurav. You know that’s a little lame. Just as it is to say that this will be the era of Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Raina, Rohit.

Open your eyes Mahi, who knows, you could open the selectors’ minds too. But before that, stick with him at 2 down. He just won you a game at that position, didn’t he?

And here’s something else to chew on Mahi, in the years to come, who will take the place Sachin, Rahul, VVS?



also read 'Who the fck is Subramaniam Badrinath?'

I’ve been waiting for you kid

Why else would I pick you in my fantasy team – you may say I’m a dreamer, but look, Jumbo picked you too, no doubt after a chat with Jammy. I’m convinced the only reason Jammy returned was to have that chat with Jumbo. KP was gone, and you must have thought you were gone too, but then came along Jumbo. Of course, this is what I think. And yeah, glad to see you think too.

Anyway, going back to that fantasy team – appreciate the fact you’ve not been dropped so far (I’m allowed 6 substitutions kid). Seems like ages back that you played that manic 80 odd against the Poms. And then it fell apart. Face it, you scored too fast, you hit the ball in the air too much, and they preferred Gauti to you. You were never ever in contention for a test slot anyway. I never figured that out, don’t think you did either. Worse still, even though you were an opener, doubt the team saw you as opening material, whatever that means. Had you been more of a dullhead, who knows what could have been?

You had your breaks, but they were all over the place, and so were you. Then they put the breaks on you, kid. That T20 world cup and those effusive bows seem like a long way back.

And here you were set to bow out of the IPL. Nobody would remember your straight hits, run-outs, the bows, yes, they are hard to forget.

And then this innings came along, you and mid wicket were an item again. And you scored faster than I could glug my whiskey. That was one heady innings kid, just hope it doesn’t go to your head again. I have a feeling it won’t.

Another thing: do not wear wicketkeeping gloves again, not even in private. Don't want to end up like DK boy and little hearts, do you?

Read more about the kid

Still.

Still.

There’s Rahul Dravid.

Still.

Posing for a portrait.

Still.

Deep in thought.

Still.

The monk who sold his fears.

Still.

3 seconds.

Still.

7 seconds.

Still.

11 seconds.

Still.

The Wall.

Still.

Apt.

Still.

Telecast freeze.

Still.

So what.




Still more POVs on the Ind-NZL series? Go here.

I'm out of form

I’m out of luck, I’m out of form
Don’t know how I’ll weather the storm

The legs will move, the blood will flow
Take it easy, nice and slow
Do it little by little, blow by blow

I watch the ball, can’t watch my back
The knives are out, want me on the rack
Looking for luck, needle in a haystack

Forget the world, stare at a bird’s eye
You’re not a myth, you’re not an evil Sith
You’re still playing, you’re still brick-laying

I’m out of luck, I’m out of form
Don’t know how I’ll weather the storm

Open your mind, open your stance
Look at the field, give it one more glance
Forget about luck, forget about chance

I hear voices and I hear noises
I hear raves and I hear rants
I hear don’ts and I can’ts

Blank the crowd, blank the bowler
Let ‘em boo, let ‘em holler
Treat ‘em like another blank caller

I’m out of luck, I’m out of form
Don’t know how I’ll weather the storm


(to be performed by BB King & Bjork, ideally)

Jammy was jammed

Jammy was jammed
Quite seriously jammed
Jammy was jammed
Quite seriously jammed
He couldn’t score,
Not for love or money

Jammy was jammed
Seriously rammed
Jammy was jammed
Seriously damned
Jammy was jammed
Seriously whammed

Jammy was jammed
Quite seriously jammed
Until the day
Tendu decided
It was time again
For him, to have his say

Jammy was jammed
Quite seriously jammed
Until the day
Tendu decided
It was time again
For him, to let him stay

He said Jammy was jammed
No he didn’t say that!
He said
He’s not just a good player
He’s a great player
Yeah, he said that!
He said he’s not just a good player
He’s a great player

Jammy was jammed
Quite seriously jammed
Still, he strained his ear
Looks like he was able to hear
And just about save his rear

He said
I may not be a vampire slayer
But what the hell, I’m a great player

Jammy was jammed, quite seriously jammed
Until Tendu decided
Come to me dear…
Have no fear, don’t shed a tear, you nearly gave us a scare
Jammy was jammed, Jammy was jammed!

(to be performed by The Beatles, ideally)

With your penknife

Write me off
Pierce me through
It’s ok, know it’s you
My old friend
It’s what you do
You have to do
With your penknife

I stopped scoring
You started keeping count
Each time I failed
You succeeded
I lost, you won
I was caught
You caught me
With your penknife

I played on
You played me
I was bowled
You delivered
I fell short
You cut me
To size
With your penknife

It’s not over
You say it’s over
I didn’t say over
You said it’s over
Over and over again
I said it’s not over
You said it’s over
With your penknife

How come you know me so well?
And how come you feed on me so swell?
You parasite, living off me
With your penknife

I’m not out
You want it referred
I’m not out
You want me charged
I’m not out
You want me banned
I’m not out
You want me dismissed
With your penknife.

Like hell, I’m going without a fight
With my bat
Like hell, you’re going without a fight
With your pen knife.


(to be performed by Paul Simon, ideally)

You did it all.

Keeper captain close in slip

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


One down open middle order flip

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


Dropped declare resign blip

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


Rahul Jammy Dravid Skip

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


Shooter target trigger click

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


One day no way go away hick

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


T20 not empty scored plenty tick

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


Coach’s boy, very coy, one big kick

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


Whipping boy, favourite toy, very, very sick

You did it all
Coz you were the wall


Soft spoken, invisible, just another brick

You did it all
Coz you were the wall



(to be performed by Beck Hansen, ideally)