Suggestions

Rebuilding the wall

It might become apparent that they were wrong to drop Dravid from limited overs formats in the first place. He might become an integral part of a World Twenty20 winning team next year, or even provide the runs that send India to glory in the 50 over version in two years’ time.

The other possibility is that Dravid struggles to impose himself and reminds the selectors why they chose to leave him out after a poor run of scores in 2007. Is it fair to expect a batsman nearing his 37th birthday to improve on form that saw him dumped two years ago?

It should not be forgotten that only a few months ago Dravid was playing for his Test career. Now he is being portrayed as the saviour of a batting line-up that has flattered to deceive.

The poor form of others is as much the cause for Dravid’s return as the player’s displays himself. The naivety shown by the young guns in this year’s World Twenty20, when they were undone by short-pitched bowling by West Indies and England, has prompted this rather desperate response by the men in charge.

It is clearly felt that Rohit Sharma (who has been dropped) and Suresh Raina (who has not) were so exposed that drastic measures needed to be taken with the batting. Sharma was not alone in struggling in the Caribbean recently and the youngster might reflect on a lack of faith being shown in him.

India have constantly tinkered with their batting order in recent times. It seems a safe cricket bet that they should decide on a batting order and stick with it, with one eye on future tournaments. Sharma is the future of Indian batting, Dravid part of its glorious past. The Wall might prove hard to knock down, but it will also be hard to replace.