Dravid returns as the Goliath

NEW DELHI, MAY 27: All through his hibernation from limited overs cricket, Rahul Dravid was praying for a game, determined to prove himse...

NEW DELHI, MAY 27: All through his hibernation from limited overs cricket, Rahul Dravid was praying for a game, determined to prove himself. He did not break down or curse his luck 8212; unaware of his exact role in the team, before he was inexplicably shown the door. He took everything in his stride and went back to the nets, trying to emerge stronger.

Months into his second stint with the team, he has fitted quite nicely in his new-found avataar of India8217;s Mr Dependable, even for the smaller version of the game. Critics may not agree still but statistics have an interesting tale to tell. What makes his performance all the more creditable is his amazing ability to perform under adverse conditions. He has been by far India8217;s best batsman when playing abroad. But, playing alongside the great Sachin Tendulkar, he, as also the others, have to be contend with lesser compliments.

Dravid8217;s greatest forte has been that he had the basics and only needed to build on them. In hindsight, his absence from the team gavehim an opportunity to reassess himself. His family, friends and well-wishers8217; support during that turbulent phase too went a long way for him to pin-point the weak links.

He had to improvise, both mentally and in his batting. While the Dravid of old was merely content in pushing the ball, he can hit with ferocious, yet graceful, ease now. No surprise, the majority of his runs come from fours and sixes. In the event, his rate of century conversions has also picked up dramatically.

Previously, prone to lbw decisions due to his shuffle, Dravid cut down on that as well. He can also play all the shots in the book, but his back and across movement adds a punch to the cut and pull, which he so ably demonstrates now. The ability to present the full face of bat to every single ball he can has come in handy. That8217;s probably the reason for his growing stature as one of the best on-side player in contemporary cricket, particularly in the arc between square-leg and mid-on. There are already comparisons with ZaheerAbbas and Greg Chappell from many quarters.

As for the accusations of his 8220;not rotating the strike8221;, Dravid decided not to defend, but run the balls down square, to third-man and fine-leg for singles. He is still not an expert, but with a wise head, you can safely bet on him for further improvement.

He still has to work on his running between the wickets, though, as his statement 8212; I have been trying to improve but it takes time8230; 8212; after yesterday8217;s knock suggests.

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But with Dravid, you can be sure of one thing: His best is not behind him, it is yet to come.