The day Dravid was appointed the skipper for the Sri Lanka tri-series, BCCI secretary and convenor of selectors SK Nair had told The Indian Express: ‘‘Though he is appointed for just one series, the team management is open to the idea of having Dravid as leader on the field if he impresses them.’’ Today is the judgement day as the selectors sit to decide the leadership issue . Though India lost thrice to Lanka under Dravid, there have been instances of him leading from the front:THE PROS • Chappell’s long term goals plus his idea of flexibility saw Dravid not quite getting the best XI every time. In the finals he did. but the bowlers had a collective bad day. • Was his usual dependable self when it came to batting. In the first game of the series with India’s reeling at 64/5, Dravid’s 54 help India cross 200. In the final match, but for the run out, Dravid could have anchored a memorable win. THE CONS • The first game saw Lanka, chasing 206, struggling at 112 As Lanka recorded a comfortable win, the fifth regular bowler was sorely missed. By the end of 36 overs Harbhajan’s 10 were over. That meant Sehwag bowled eight on the last 20 overs and conceded 44 runs. The 40 overs bowled by the regulars cost 3.8 runs while Sehwag went for over five. • Dravid repeats the mistake in his worst match as captain — that also was former skipper Ganguly’s comeback game. Lanka chasing 221 were 95 Dravid let things drift, the fifth bowler missed again. Part timers Ganguly and Sehwag went for six an over.• Change of batting order in the final could have worked. As Sehwag’s set the tone, Dhoni at No.3 could have maintained the momentum. Dhoni at No.6 was found wanting against the slower bowlers.
