Rahul Dravid and The Summer of '11

Rahul Sharad Dravid played his 344^th and last one-day international of his career at Cardiff on 16^thSeptember 2011. This innings consisted of his usual knock full of cuts, drives and leg side glances. But still his last one-day knock could not help India win the last ODI in England.

It all started with Dravid’s another magnificent century in the 1^st test at Lords, this being his only century at the Mecca of Cricket. He was the lone survivor in Indian first innings. He negotiated the bounce and swing from England pace attack. When other players were finding it difficult to middle the ball, he made the fielders fetch the ball from boundary rope 15 times in his innings. In the 2^nd innings, Dravid’s new role was to open the innings with Mukund due to Gambhir’s injury. Even though he scored just 36, he was still the 3^rd highest scorer as other Indian batsmen failed again. India lost the first match by a margin of 196 runs. But this was just the beginning.

The second test match started with a ray of hope for India as England got all out for 221 in the first innings. India's 1st innings started disastrously with Mukund getting out for a first ball duck. But wait, they had Dravid as their savior yet again. Dravid made another brilliant century. But to our disappointment, India again bundled out at a meagre score of 288. England replied with a massive 544 and India managed only 158 handling the hosts a victory by a massive 319 runs. Dravid's another century got wasted. Before this series, it happened only 3 times that Dravid's century came in a losing cause. After first 2 matches of the series, the tally reached 5.

The 3rd match was a comeback match for Indian opener, Virender Sehwag. A big hype was created on his comeback and he got a kings' pair nullifying the hype to full extent. It was another forgettable match for Indians as England amassed 710/7 declared and India not able to reach even 250 in the two test innings. Dravid was wrongly given out caught behind when the ball kissed his shoe lace. Rahul Dravid's rare failure in the 3rd test match made India lose the match by an innings and 242 runs. Still there was more embarrassment to come to Indian Cricket Team.

The 4th Test match. Venue-Kinnengton Oval, London. Same old story. Same result. Dravid opening the innings yet again and scoring another classy century. He batted for more than 6 hours while the rest of the team could not understand the pitch. Dravid carried his bat through the innings and when England asked India to follow on, he again came to open the innings. Inspite of the heroics of the Great Man, India still couldn't find a way to avoid an innings defeat. India lost 4th consecutive Test Match by innings and 8 runs.

No doubt, RD was adjudged the India's Man of the Series for his brilliant and consistent performances.

After his inhuman efforts, RD was recalled in the ODI series after a gap of around 2 years. He was also included in the only T20. Considered as a misfit for ODI earlier in his career, the 38 year old smashed 3 sixes in three balls that helped India reach 165 in allotted 20 overs. Though India lost the match, RD's only T20 innings was a treat to watch.

Then came the ODI series. India again lost the series 3-0 with two matches washed away due to rain. Rahul Dravid in his last series again proved his worth in the Indian batting line up. He amassed 69 valuable runs to take India's score over 300 for the first time in the whole series. His fluent innings was again overshadowed by Virat Kohli's century. This has been the story of his whole career, being overshadowed by others, and the same thing repeated in this match. It was an ordinary day at Cardiff, but will be remembered as one of the saddest days for those who loved Dravid in the Blue Indian Dress.