Rahul Dravid, a Perfect Gentleman

There was not much fanfare as always associated with this person. Whether he is on the field or away from it, he never attracts much attention. And his call to quit the Indian team captain''s job was exactly simple and dignified without much hue and cry. Yes, it did cause a shock among the nation's many cricket fans and all the cricket experts who always have suggestions for others but can never take up responsibility on their own. But in the end I feel that the man himself must have put a lot of thought into that decision just like the way eh prepares for his game. Was this a good call from Dravid or wasn't this particular shot not timed well??

As always, there are going to be people who agree and others who just have to criticize Rahul for anything he does. For example, consider the fact that India won the test series in England after 21 years......yes 21 loooong years and what were the critics saying, Oh Rahul should have imposed the follow-on and gone for 2-0. But then anything could have happened and India might have been struggling to save the game and every ardent fan knows how we play under pressure. SO where was the big hue and cry for him not imposing a follow-on. Also, he just wouldn't have taken the decision on his own. It would have been a collective decision.

Secondly, there are a lot of experts in Indian cricket who did nothing worthwhile when they had an opportunity but when its time to criticize others, oh yeah..they are the first in line. I guess this has been the problem with Indian cricket. Too many self proclaimed experts who are of the opinion that Rahul is very defensive. Now, does aggressiveness mean sledging opponents or taking your shirt off and shout at your opponents. Thats what majority of the country believes. But I feel at the end of the day, it is the W or L that counts, not how many times the captain claps or encourages his teammates. Tell me how much more can you tell a certain Mr Agarkar how to bowl and yet this person is a constant in the team. Surprising is the fact that not many comment on his performance but oh yeah Dravid is very very defensive!!!

Finally, the Selection committee chairman should not comment on what a captain should do or not do. His job is to select the team. Period. What the skipper and his team does is their prerogative.

Agreed Rahul could have improved a lot & become a great skipper but being the thinking cricketer he is, he called it quits just after winning a series in England after 21 years. That calls for a lot of guts and self belief and above all total selflessness. There are too many nonsensical people running the Indian cricket. Rahul surely does not wnat to be dictated to by these people. In a way, Team India needs Rahul the Wall for his batting skills and the man has the sincerity to realize his batting contribution to the team is going down and gives up the captaincy, which many clamour for!!!. Unbelievable!!!!!

Hats off Rahul. You( and your good old pal Kumble) are probably the most dedicated and disciplined cricketers India had seen in the last ten years. You sure are the perfect role model for many youngsters. Let your bat do the talking once more and silence the many many armchair experts of Indian cricket!!!