Dravid, the epitome of sportsmanship!!!

Dravid, can u please open the innings?? Dravid, can u please keep wickets? We need to accommodate an extra batsman!! Dravid, can you please come down the order?? Every time the team needed him, this man, Dravid was there!! It's not easy for anybody to go and perform when the whole world is watching u and waiting for u to make a mistake to be shown the doors. But Dravid time and again has proved a point to people who doubt his ability. This match against the Srilankans on Nov 16, 2009 was no exception.

Just few weeks back he was dropped from the one day side with no particular reason being quoted except Mr. Srikanth telling the media that Yuvraj and Shewag are back to the squad (when asked why Dravid was dropped ? Doesn't it sound weird!! ) I was just taken back when someone of Dravid's caliber was treated as a stop gap arrangement for the so called "Youngistan" Indian team. But what did this gentleman do after that, did he shy away from doing what he is passionate about?? Did he go to the media for publicity?? Na, Na, all he did was played for his home team in the Ranji trophy. He got noteworthy scores which helped him get some practice before the Test match. Next was what the whole world watched!!

32/4 read the score board!! Top order dismantled by the SL bowlers!! But Dravid, the team man stood there. The strokes which he played were top class. Not an error except for the dismissal. The way he punished Murali, man, it was a treat to watch!!

Records were broken & Feats were achieved but still his quest for runs never stopped. The highlight of this particular innings was the way he hit those 177 runs. Being termed as a tortoise (which I being a fan will never accept) the aggressiveness which he displayed was so uncharacteristic of him. Being a Dravid fanatic for the past 13 yrs, I have never seen him play so aggressively all these years. Probably he wanted to prove a point (which is not required at all) to the selectors that he is no mood to take the crap which they have bin doing with him!! Whatever be the reason, there is every reason for all of us to celebrate this great dedicated sportsman India has ever provided.

Dravid, U Rock!!!

Thanks for letting me post in your blog dada!!!

Comments are welcome!! J

By

Aarthi