The wall that inspires

Determined as ever!

It has been around 12 years since I've been following cricket.In this considerably long duration I have always admired test cricket more than its baby versions just because of the sheer test of patience and determination it entails.It's even better when legendary players battle it out in adverse conditions-Swinging ball on a windy day with fierce pace on display.Such adversities separate the wheat from the chaff.The run-pelters without any inkling of technique fizzle out and the best in the business show their class.That innings of theirs ,with jaw dropping drives -that seem majestic and breath-taking square cuts, is something that forms an indelible part of my memory.I remember many such innings and without much surprise-most of these belong to the bat of the wall-Rahul Dravid.

There's something about Rahul Dravid that I've liked even more than the sacred maestro Sachin Tendulkar.Generally when he walks in, India's score reads 30/1 or 40/1 or even more pathetic and he has a job to do like all the No.3 ilk.You can tell from the way he focusses on the next ball, taps the bat , takes his stance , watches the ball being delivered , plays it at the very last moment with the softest of the touches- that he means business out here. Rarely will you see a loose shot from him.It's like watching the perfect defensive technique being replayed on a video again and again.Not just that defense,  his drives, pull, square cut , all seem like a flowing brook-smooth and flawless.At the best of the form in 2003-04 he seemed impenetrable.All his double hundreds( Oh that sacred Adelaide hundred)  came that season against Aussies in their backyard and against Pakistan.That period was apparently the peak of his beautiful career in service of Indian cricket.He has always been a team man-no doubt. Opening the innings in tests when needed and donning the gloves when India had no decent gloves man in entire country.Mr.Dependable has always had a promise in his way of batting on which the team banked in crisis.One more peculiar aspect of his batting has been the profuse sweating of his. Even in an hour of batting, his face perspires profusely.Dripped in sweat and defending like a wall-he seems the perfect example of determination on display.

Such an awesome career unfortunately has also had its share of criticisms.One being the World Cup 2007 fiasco in which the team had an early exit under his leadership. Other being his dip in form in last two years. Some pundits have predicted that he has lost his sheen and must have hung his boots by now.But I believe there's plenty more left in him and he must carry on till he enjoys playing his game.His recent century at Sabina park is a point in case. It was a meticulous effort  adorned by few classy drives in adverse conditions.When all other batters gave in to the bouncy and uneven pitch, he seemed to be in his own world. That itself accentuates his greatness.For me, he has always been a source of inspiration for the concentration and perseverance he puts to the task with not a wee bit of brag in his demeanor. When he'll hang hid bat, Indian cricket will lose a loyal servant, a cricketing legend, a modest human, a gentleman. Perhaps the void he'll bequeath will be too large for any shoes too fill in.

Rahul Dravids after all aren't born everyday.What a player!