Old is gold: Dravid recalled for Champions Trophy

Old is gold: Dravid recalled for Champions Trophy

7 Jul 2009, 0037 hrs IST, Dwaipayan Datta, TNN

CHENNAI: The selectors finally took a step that clearly indicated that they were worried with India's batting following the T20 World Cup and the West Indies series.

They have brought Rahul Dravid back into the fray for a spot in the ODI side by including him in the 30-member probables list for the Champions Trophy

, and if sources close to the selection committee are to be believed, it's not just for filling up the numbers.

The Indian batsmen's frailty against short-pitched bowling was there for everyone to see during the T20 World Cup and the selectors believe some solidity is required in the middle-order.

Even though India won the series against the West Indies, the general belief among the decision makers is that it is all due to "one match winning effort (from Yuvraj)."

It was clearly indicated that Dravid would surely be considered when the final 15 was selected for the Champions Trophy. The veteran right-hander may not fit into skipper MS Dhoni's scheme of things but given the recent performances of the Indian team, the selectors may well take a stern stance.

The fact that the Champions Trophy will be played in South Africa, where the pitches will afford steep bounce, has also gone in Dravid's favour. But will there be a chance to see what kind of form Dravid is in before the final team is selected?

"Do we need to do that for a player of Dravid's stature? We know what he is capable of," the source shot back.

Cricket Cricket Cricket !!

Its been close to two months since i first created this blog and lots of topics have made their way in and out of my restless brain...still no clarity as to what to write!!

Cricket has been an integral part of my life, and will remain so for the rest of my life..
Naturally, the first thing that came to my mind was of course, yours truly !
Something i wanted to write about, was Gilchrist's barrage of accusations on Sachin Tendulkar, the GOD of Cricket, in his book Walking to Victory. I have always felt that aussies have been bad losers and big mouths on the field, regardless of their clinical preciscion in winning matches..though they have had the good fortune of having some of the greatest cricket players as their countrymen, there has been an inkling of bad behaviour hidded under their baggy greens for a while...all is well when they are winning game after game, but when the going gets tough, now as it has for them, the simple equation of winning gets complex !!

Another topic, was concern over the dismal form of Rahul Dravid..this man holds a special place in my heart and i have always felt that things have gone woefully wrong with Dravid after he decided to step away from captaincy...he's never looked like the wall he was....he just looks a shadow of himself...can he do a Ganguly and bounce back to form in the time to come? Can he regain his lost touch ? Does the adage, "Form is temporary class is permanent" hold good for him ? Not sure...sincerely hope and wish him well, want him to prove himself...my best wishes to the best batsman that Karnataka has seen in the last two decades !!
MSD's midas touch might just bring Dravid back to life, watch out for MSD people he is the next GOD that cricket will be praising for some time to come...!!
Thats it for today, will have to sign off for now....the real world awaits me !!
Cheers!

My first tentative steps toward blogging!

Am sitting in front of my laptop having called in sick to work and typing my first few words on the blog that I have just created...It was an impulsive decision to start a blog, not too different from the rest of the decisions I've made in life either....Inspired by my good old friend Suksy, I begin my blogging sojourn !! Wish me Luck!