Right time to show class

A sound technique, unflappable temperament and single-minded devotion have made him one of the most prodigious run-getters in international cricket.

Batting at the crucial number three spot, it is Dravid’s responsibility to stem the rot if an early wicket falls, or to step on the gas if a solid foundation has been laid. Dravid’s performance in the former situation has often been exemplary. But he has not always accelerated as required. It is this quirk that needs to be ironed out.

In Sharjah there were times when it seemed that Dravid was at least breaking out of his shell and taking on the bowling. His running betweenthe wickets too had improved dramatically. These certainly augur well for India, for it is a confident Dravid, firing on all cylinders who would make the difference to the side’s batting.

The tall, right hander is a highly intelligent cricketer and humble enough to learn from others. These traits have stood him in good stead right through his career. Knowing him, he would surely have by now imbibed every lesson on running between the wickets that Bobby Simpson could impart.

Dravid’s value addition to the side comes as a stand-by wicket-keeper and part-time off spinner. He himself admits that he would love to bowl more in first class cricket, but because of Karnataka’s wealth of bowling talent he gets few chances. Dravid will surely stand in as wicket-keeper in an emergency. But when he does it more often, like England’s Alec Stewart, the team would have more options in both the batting and bowling line-ups.

With Tendulkar, Dravid is one of the key players who should help India to a decent score.Consensus is the bowling will look after itself. But when the team runs into a flat pitch, as often happens in England, it is the batting which must win the situation for India. Thus Dravid will have an invaluable role to play this summer. He has proved that he has it in him to score heavily in England. He must now take that ability to its logical conclusion.