In any analysis of Rahul Dravid?s career his one day performances come as an afterthought. This is despite the 11,000 runs at an excellent average of 39. Just this one statistic is enough to demonstrate his accomplishments at the Test level, achievements that successfully dwarf 11,000 runs spread over a 15-over career. It is evidence that Dravid, the Test batsman, is peerless and still has a lot to do for India in the next year and a half. Maybe this is the reason why Dravid could state on the day of his limited overs farewell that life for him will hardly change. There?s a lot to do at the Test arena to regain the prestige lost in England and Dravid, more than anyone else, will have to lead the challenge.
While he has subtly downplayed his limited overs achievements, a typical Dravid syndrome over the years, some of his limited overs knocks will linger on in the memories of Indian cricket fans for years to come. One such was his 145 against Sri Lanka at Taunton in the 1999 world cup, a tournament in which Dravid had top scored for India with 461. This Taunton match is more remembered for Saurav Ganguly?s heroics, his six hitting blitzkrieg on his way to a brilliant 183. But it was Dravid who had set the foundation. In the first few overs of the game, Chaminda Vaas was making the ball talk. Movement both ways in seaming conditions, batting was as difficult as on the recent tour of England. Dravid, singlehandedly almost, weathered the storm. And only after he had done so did Saurav take it on himself to tear the Sri Lankans apart scripting one of India?s famous world cup wins.
The other important aspect that will forever stand out in Dravid?s one day career is his ability to finish games and be there till the end. While it was Sachin Tendulkar who set up the match against Pakistan at Centurion with a spectacular 98 at the 2003 world cup, it was Dravid?s half century with Yuvraj Singh for company that helped India across the line.
With Dravid in the middle you could expect composure, serenity that is not often associated with a limited overs fixture. Dravid radiated calm and was a steadying influence that served India well for over a decade. He may never have played a Virender Sehwag style knock (not to forget his 60 ball 92 against England in the 2007 one day series) but he did serve his team well with both his batting and his wicket-keeping in the 2003 world cup and was the perfect team man at times of crisis. This is what he had always wanted to do, be the perfect team man even if the fans did not admire him enough for being so.
Playing the limited overs game did not come naturally to Dravid. In fact, he had to struggle more than most of his contemporaries. But as with everything Dravid he did not give up. He continued to be India?s turn to man at times of crisis, one who could be relied upon to take the shine of the new ball in seam friendly environments. He did so in South Africa at the Champions trophy in 2009 and he did so again in his last series as a one day player.
Even in retirement, it can be stated with certainty, he will continue to be the perfect team player. When asked by journalists to list the best moments of his one day career he has listed two. The first, understandably, was the 2003 world cup when Dravid played a key role in India?s run to the final. His wicket-keeping had improved with every game with the Abdur Razzaq catch being his stand out moment behind the stumps. His second favourite moment, interestingly, is world cup 2011. He was not in the squad for the tournament. Nor did he play a single game. Yet he lived the moment with his team, his mates with who he has spent years in the dressing room. It was as much his triumph as theirs. He enjoyed the victory as much as the ones who played, though he did not get the cash rewards that followed. What better evidence can he give us of his loyalty to the team? Not without reason is he a legend. And whether retired or not, he will always be a legend of Indian cricket who youngsters will do well to emulate.
The writer is a sports historian