Bailout -Solid Century Dravid

[The Outsider]

^ Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, Kumble, and Laxman have been through a lot together and while there naturally would have been some friction over more than a decade in such a high pressure environment, I have no doubts that each had the best interests of Indian cricket at the top of their thoughts and forged a terrific partnership to take the Indian team of the 90s to where it is today. Sure, they've had support from other players and were also able to force the BCCI to support them due to the sheer weight of their personalities and accomplishments but these 5 have been the bed rock of Indian cricket. They might not all have made the statements that we want to hear and might have done things differently than we how we wanted them done, but there was enough understanding and mutual respect there to not let any personal misunderstanding enter the cricket ground because they all respected one thing in each of them - all actions were being taken in the best interests of the team. If you go back to the 80s and look at the Indian team, it was a very talented outfit on paper and at times came up with spectacular triumphs but was largely mediocre. A huge reason for it was the constant ego problems between Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. At times, it was literally two different camps taking the field with Shastri, Vengsarkar on one side and Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma on the other and guys like Sandeep Patil trying to be in both. There was too much friction in the side for any new comer to feel comfortable. The aforementioned five personalities changed things completely. Their on field accomplishments gave them the initial respect but for me the entire group transformed the line of thinking of the team from a friction and fraction ridden structure like Pakistan to a completely different team culture where professionalism comes to the fore like Australia. And therein lies at least part of their greatness.

[Anakin]

Good job Dravid. He looks certain for the next couple of series atleast. Why no respect for Dada though? When he was going through a rough patch, not even one person from the team or media - Dravid inclusive - were supportive of Ganguly. He was thrown out of the team unceremoniously and had to go back to Domestic cricket. Did anyone take note of Dhoni's pre match press session and then also during the toss. He was backing Dravid so much. Why RD never showed that kind of respect or support for Ganguly? He quitely slid himself behind Greg Chappel and allowed Chappel to take Ganguly for a ride? As a captain, why dint he stand up for Ganguly's cause? RD as a batsman is great. I wish he plays for another 2-3 years and retire when he thinks is right. he deserves that and I have no problems with that. So was Ganguly. He too felt that he still has a year or two left in him but he was forced into retirement... Atleast retirement was made to look like voluntary. Whereas his droppings in the 2005-06 were uncalled for. One of the argument for not dropping Dravid after Chennai is that he is past the time to go back to domestics and make a come back. Why isnt that thecase with Dada as well. What did he do to deserve such a thing? He was a good, strong and brash captain. Was that his mistake? He backed his players - players like Yuvi, Sehwag and Bajji and at times Dravid as well. But, when he required backing, there was none. And yet Even after retirement, Dada goes on to back Dravid in his newspaper column saying he'll come good during the England series. IMHO - Ganguly is the most misunderstood personality in Indian cricket and he wasnt treated well at all.

RSD in full flow: Dada is a dirty politican, SRT is a mafia lord..... kick them out of the team, perform or perish, they are selfish.............. RSD in a slump: Dada said RSD will be back in good form, SRT said RSD is great, so no need to drop him. RSD scores a 100: I wanna see that beautiful face without the helmet :icflove::icflove: Some time in near future, RSD in full flow again: Dada is a dirty politican, SRT is a mafia lord.....time for Endulkar to be kicked out as well.

[Anakin]

and it is for Rahul Dravid - the wall has done a great job 100 today. One wish remains - I want to see spinners at both ends, and dravid abandon the helmet and the hanging strap and don a cap. Then its complete - and all's well. The cap on!

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Chandan]

^ Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, Kumble, and Laxman have been through a lot together and while there naturally would have been some friction over more than a decade in such a high pressure environment, I have no doubts that each had the best interests of Indian cricket at the top of their thoughts and forged a terrific partnership to take the Indian team of the 90s to where it is today. Sure, they've had support from other players and were also able to force the BCCI to support them due to the sheer weight of their personalities and accomplishments but these 5 have been the bed rock of Indian cricket. They might not all have made the statements that we want to hear and might have done things differently than we how we wanted them done, but there was enough understanding and mutual respect there to not let any personal misunderstanding enter the cricket ground because they all respected one thing in each of them - all actions were being taken in the best interests of the team. If you go back to the 80s and look at the Indian team, it was a very talented outfit on paper and at times came up with spectacular triumphs but was largely mediocre. A huge reason for it was the constant ego problems between Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. At times, it was literally two different camps taking the field with Shastri, Vengsarkar on one side and Amarnath, Yashpal Sharma on the other and guys like Sandeep Patil trying to be in both. There was too much friction in the side for any new comer to feel comfortable. The aforementioned five personalities changed things completely. Their on field accomplishments gave them the initial respect but for me the entire group transformed the line of thinking of the team from a friction and fraction ridden structure like Pakistan to a completely different team culture where professionalism comes to the fore like Australia. And therein lies at least part of their greatness.

Brilliant post Shwetabh!! This was the sole reason why I started respecting all the five players so much that no matter what anyone said, I felt like backing them in their rough time. I might like one player of this group more than the rest but I have equal respect for them, equal loyalty to them!

[Ram]

To do whatever. When the odds are against it, when you're down and out. I've been through some tough times, and SRT has always been an inspiration, and always brought a smile to my face. I dont want to go into details, because its kind of personal....

Fantastic post!

[Laaloo]

3 minutes ago, navroks123 said:

great innings !!

Hi @Cricketics