Dravid Makes an ODI Comeback

Rahul Dravid has had a rather unexpected comeback to India's ODI squad. The 38 year old last played an ODI 2 years ago, and for the last 4 years, hasn't figured majorly in India's ODI plans.

Dravid was recalled to the ODI squad in 2009, as the pampered boys of Indian cricket such as Rohit Sharma were found useless on tracks with some life in them. When India returned to the flat roads, Dravid was promptly left out. Are they going to insult him yet again?

Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Zaheer Khan also returned to the ODI side after missing the WI series.
Yuvraj Singh misses out due to injury, and Harbhajan's injury thankfully keeps him out.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2011/content/current/story/526115.html

We just cant write off the wall.

No way, but do they really want him? or is it to save the pampered boys from the challenging conditions in England? Will Dravid be left in the cold ones they go back to the roads?
Dravid shouldn't take any such insult, and should retire from the ODI game.

A tell all article by Siddharth Monga in cricinfo.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2011/content/current/story/526147.html

Well, Dravid says he won't be taking any more nonsense and selectorial insults, of course he says it all like a true gentleman that he is.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/recalled-to-team-after-two-years-dravid-says-no-more-odis-after-england-series/828232/

So they selected him without soundng him out first? From that intrview it sounds like he'd assumed he wasnt ever going to play limited overs cricket, he just hadnt bothered to formaly retire till now.
It also sounds like he's been staying at Samit Patels house.

It does seem an odd pick. Its not like its going to help develope the team and ensure they have a continued stream of ODI batsmen who can excel in any conditons coming through.

I think Dravid's selection was prompted by the English conditions, and non-availability of Yuvraj Singh.
However, it certainly is an odd pick, Dravid surely is a fine ODI player, but they left him out in the cold for long, and he won't be playing the format for long, doesn't make much sense.
Tendulkkar, Sehwag and Gambhir are all playing, and Virat Kohli is a fine ODI player. Rohit Sharma, one of the pampered lot, has had a fine series in the West Indies amidst his usual inconsistencies. Raina is a major componant of the lineup as well.
So if Yuvraj isn't available, then Sharma could have got some more games. Or they could have picked someone like young Ajinkya Rahane.
Anyways, one positive thing about all these is that Dravid has now the opportunity to go out on a high from the ODI format, and at last he's doing something on his own tirms.
All the best Rahul.

msp yep the thing is it suggests that they are actually taking these ODI games seriously and are moreconcerned about wnnng them than building a team or getting moreplayers comfortable with engflish conditions through experience of them.
It seems odd to and Englishman because we always see these series as a bit of a pointless sideshow, and the ECB has largely used them to have a look at potential test players or try and build a side for a forthcomng ICC tournament.

How annoyed do you thnk hes going to be though if hes in the squad but left carrying drinks?

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:msp yep the thing is it suggests that they are actually taking these ODI games seriously and are moreconcerned about wnnng them than building a team or getting moreplayers comfortable with engflish conditions through experience of them.
It seems odd to and Englishman because we always see these series as a bit of a pointless sideshow, and the ECB has largely used them to have a look at potential test players or try and build a side for a forthcomng ICC tournament.

How annoyed do you thnk hes going to be though if hes in the squad but left carrying drinks?

psw, as far as I know, only with the Strauss Flower regime that England started treating the ODI game with some respect. That's why their success rate isn't the greatest, although in recent times, they have been playing a very refreshing type of ODI cricket, although I still have my doubts about captain Cook to continue the same approach, admitedly he did so that in the Lanka series, but I think there should be more of it.

Well, India doesn't have Yuvraj to do the 5th bowler's job, Sehwag won't be doing a lot of bowling with his troubled sholder. Tendulkar doesn't take the ball that often these days. That leaves Dhoni with only Raina and Kohli to do the job. If they play Rohit Sharma, he can get through a couple of overs.
If Sharma playes, then I don't see a place for Dravid. But I doubt how Sharma, Raina and Kohli are going to handle the english conditions. so sooner or later he should be getting his chances.