April 3, 1996 was the day when Rahul Sharad Dravid walked out, in his blue uniform, to represent his country against Srilanka at Singapore, he was out just for 3 runs. He played 4 more innings in next two months and could only manage a top score of 22, but somehow his solid technique left us with a thought that he would come back. On June 23, 1996 he created magic at the Lord’s by coming with five runs of a ton on his debut in the longer version. In tests he has never been dropped since his debut and in fact, 15 years later, he completed that unfinished job at the Lord’s, scoring an unbeaten hundred at the young age of 38. However, in the limited overs format he has been sort of in-n-out, partly because of his style of play and mainly because National Selectors’ mode of play.
Dravid was never a flamboyant stroke maker taylor-made for ODIs, he was more of a grafter, but what he possessed was an immaculate technique aided with rock solid defense. After his test debut, he enjoyed success in ODIs, including that mesmerizing innings against the South Africans in the finals at Durban where even Allan Donald felt humiliated as Rahul hit him out of the park. But the chief National Selector: Kishen Rungta dubbed him as “not suitable for ODIs” and shunned him away. However, the fighter went back to the drawing board made adjustments and returned as the highest scorer for India in the 1999 WC and was involved with two back to back WC record partnerships. Mr. Rungta had to eat his own words when this non-suitable ODI player went on to play 344 matches and score 10,889 runs.
Rahul has been a true team man for India in ODIs as he batted anywhere from No. 1 to No. 7 in the order, keeping his personal preferences aside. From 2002-2004 he donned twin jobs of keeping wickets and batting at No. 5 so that his skipper can adopt a seven-batsmen theory. He was extremely instrumental, along with Sachin, in India’s eight successive wins in 2003 WC. Part of the reason for him to accept this twin-task, was that selectors were gunning for him in 2001-02, just because of one bad series. The selectors were never fair to him in ODIs. In England (2007), as a captain, he played a breathtaking knock of 92* in 63 balls, in Sehwag speed, followed it with a 56 at Birmingham, and 10 ODIs later the National Selectors dropped him for good. The reason for his sacking was one bad ODI tour against World’s No#1 team – Australia.
Apparently, every Tom-Dick-n-Harry in ODIs was given an extended life, even after repeated failures, including a Mohd. Kaif and a Dinesh Mongia, but this selfless man was always kept on a tight leash. In 2009 the selectors panicked, when they saw the shortcomings of “young guns” against short pitched stuff and recalled the veteran, only to do an injustice to him by dropping him after a few games, where he opened the innings with Sachin, with a century stand in a triangular final that India won in Sri-Lanka and top scored (76) in an unsuccessful chase against Pakistan (Champions Trophy 2009). When the selectors suffered from yet another panic attack in the current tour of England, where players were falling off due to injuries like the leaves in the fall season, he decided enough is enough and pulled one on the selectors by announcing his retirement post ODI tour in England.
Today, on September 16, 2011, he walked at Cardiff, for one last time in his blues, and was magnificent as always. He had no fears what so ever, but elegance, class, and the flawless technique was still evident. Watching him bat today made me wonder as to why he’s signing off? It was a pleasure to the eyes of the viewers as they saw the actual passing of baton of sorts, right on the field, when jersey #19 and jersey #18 were involved in a 170 run stand. Kohli, a player deserving to replace Rahul, in the ODIs, with his sound technique and temperament, scored a ton in the presence of the veteran himself. Rahul can surely be assured that with the likes of Rahane, Kohli, and Raina, India’s ODI line-up looks rock-solid and would be hoping that either Rahane or Kohli would work hard enough to be ready to take his spot in tests when that time comes down the road.
Rahul, you have served the nation for over 15 years and answered ever call of 
duty. Like a true selfless devotee, you have batted at any position, kept wickets, led the side, and done all that was asked of you. You have been a true inspiration to many youngsters, as even in this era of T20 and fatafat cricket we see a Pujara and a Rahane, who give preference to robust technique. Yes Viru provides the much needed action, The God gives you overall assurance, VVS provides classy wrist-work, and in the midst of all this, the only one who makes you feel safe and tough is Mr. Dependable. Rahul, you have been the back-bone of Indian cricket and I give you a standing ovation as you walk-off on a high!!!
-Nikhil Sharad Jadhav
