Rahul Dravid is the seventh-highest scorer in the all-time ODI list. (AFP Photo)
CARDIFF: All eyes will be on India's Rahul Dravid when he takes the field for the last time in coloured clothing at the Sophia Gardens stadium on Friday.
The fifth ODI will bring an end to Dravid's one-day adventures and given his mammoth exploits in Test matches, it is easy to forget that he is also the seventh-highest scorer in the all-time ODI list.
It's bound to be an emotional moment for India's Mr Dependable, since he hasn't been a regular in the one-day scheme of things since 2007. Having led India to a disastrous World Cup campaign that year, he was dumped unceremoniously, and Dravid turned his attentions to Test cricket.
Sometimes, though, his services in the shorter format have been required, mostly when India's young guns have been found wanting on lively pitches away from home, like in this series and during the 2009 Champions Trophy.
Earlier, too, he made several comebacks in the 50-over game, and for a while even unwillingly agreed to keep wickets under Sourav Ganguly's captaincy so India could play seven batsmen.
Under MS Dhoni, India sought fresh legs and a younger bunch of batsmen held centrestage, pushing Dravid out of the scheme of things when India played at home. A brilliant display of batsmanship in the Test series this summer in England, though, made it hard for selectors to leave him out, and it's ironic that he made his T20 International debut and retirement in the same game!
The lead-up to his last game has been distinctly low-key. In fact, England spinner Graeme Swann, a keen Dravid fan, didn't even know Dravid would be playing his last ODI.
When TOI asked Swann for his reactions, he said: "He is going to play his last ODI? That is very good news for us. We don't have to bowl to him when we tour India. He has played exceptionally well this summer. Right from the first ball he faced at Lord's, he looked like the in-form player. He is a lovely timer of the ball and a joy to watch. It will be a big loss for India when he stops playing but bowlers around the world will be happy that he won't be playing ODIs any more."
There's a perception that Dravid got a raw deal in the 50-over format throughout his career, and Swann said: "India's batting talent, especially in sub-continental conditions, is astonishing and you can't complain about the team because they won the World Cup. I can't say why he wasn't picked for the World Cup team but I'm sure any other team would have. But anyway, everyone knows Dravid is a truly world-class player."
Naturally, Dravid's teammates are planning a grand farewell for him. He has indeed been the one who taught me Cricket. I thoroughly enjoyed his batting. Hope he continues to be The Best In Test!
The fifth ODI will bring an end to Dravid's one-day adventures and given his mammoth exploits in Test matches, it is easy to forget that he is also the seventh-highest scorer in the all-time ODI list.
It's bound to be an emotional moment for India's Mr Dependable, since he hasn't been a regular in the one-day scheme of things since 2007. Having led India to a disastrous World Cup campaign that year, he was dumped unceremoniously, and Dravid turned his attentions to Test cricket.
Sometimes, though, his services in the shorter format have been required, mostly when India's young guns have been found wanting on lively pitches away from home, like in this series and during the 2009 Champions Trophy.
Earlier, too, he made several comebacks in the 50-over game, and for a while even unwillingly agreed to keep wickets under Sourav Ganguly's captaincy so India could play seven batsmen.
Under MS Dhoni, India sought fresh legs and a younger bunch of batsmen held centrestage, pushing Dravid out of the scheme of things when India played at home. A brilliant display of batsmanship in the Test series this summer in England, though, made it hard for selectors to leave him out, and it's ironic that he made his T20 International debut and retirement in the same game!
The lead-up to his last game has been distinctly low-key. In fact, England spinner Graeme Swann, a keen Dravid fan, didn't even know Dravid would be playing his last ODI.
When TOI asked Swann for his reactions, he said: "He is going to play his last ODI? That is very good news for us. We don't have to bowl to him when we tour India. He has played exceptionally well this summer. Right from the first ball he faced at Lord's, he looked like the in-form player. He is a lovely timer of the ball and a joy to watch. It will be a big loss for India when he stops playing but bowlers around the world will be happy that he won't be playing ODIs any more."
There's a perception that Dravid got a raw deal in the 50-over format throughout his career, and Swann said: "India's batting talent, especially in sub-continental conditions, is astonishing and you can't complain about the team because they won the World Cup. I can't say why he wasn't picked for the World Cup team but I'm sure any other team would have. But anyway, everyone knows Dravid is a truly world-class player."
Naturally, Dravid's teammates are planning a grand farewell for him. He has indeed been the one who taught me Cricket. I thoroughly enjoyed his batting. Hope he continues to be The Best In Test!
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