Sport - Cricket

Dravid silences critics with fine century

By Vijay Lokapally

India's Rahul Dravid, who scored a century, drives Adam Sanford on the fourth day of the first Test against West Indies in Georgetown on Sunday. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan.

GEORGETOWN APRIL 13. It was all about Rahul Dravid and his commitment to the job, his loyalty to the team, In times of distress, he has often come off a as messiah and this innings should shut up his detractors in and outside the team. It was an innings aimed at only serving the team and not himself and it was a very dedicated effort that took India past the follow-on mark.

At one point there was a possibility of a follow-on when V.V.S. Laxman departed to a loose stroke after a superbly-stroked half-century and Sanjay Bangar was trapped leg-before on the backfoot, both wickets falling to Cameron Cuffy. Laxman's 69 came off 156 minutes and 113 balls with 11 fours. It was his association with Dravid which paved the way for Indias recovery.

Dravid was confidence personified all the way. It was a dreadful moment when he was struck by Mervyn Dillon. The grill saved him from a serious injury as he failed to avoid the snorter but he hung on. It was brave of Dravid because he countered the attack with some glorious drives after being hit. A couple of straight drives left a lasting impression on the spectators who were silenced once this stylish batsman took India past the danger mark.

Dravid's last century had come at the Eden Gardens and this one, so far away from home, was no less worthy. It was as indomitable as the one at Kolkata which revived Indian cricket. As he on-drove Adam Sanford to reach his tenth Test century, it was natural that he showed his emotions, punching air. Among those who applauded Dravids performance was Sunil Gavaskar, among the few Indian batsmen to have revelled in all conditions.

Tendulkar plays his part

Like Dravid, there was another man who had a role to play — Sachin Tendulkar. When he walked out to a loud welcome, Tendulkar knew what was expected of him. He had carried loads of instruction from the dressing room, not to forget the expectations of a nation which has come to identify Indian cricket with him, and none else.

When Tendulkar departed for 79 at stroke of tea, India was 144 for four. By the end of the third day, the Indians were on a healthy 237 for four with Dravid and Laxman going strong. There were the usual alarms on the fourth morning when India batted to avoid the follow-on and the target was achieved only through the resilience of Dravid, who took a blow on the left jaw, but did not desert the team. His innings was a tribute to his commitment. Give him any batting slot, he is always equal to the task.

At lunch on the fourth day, India was 345 for 7, with Dravid unbeaten on 107 and Sarandeep Singh giving him good company on 27. Dravid's century was compiled in 316 minutes and 250 balls with 17 fours. It was a quality knock from a quality batsman and his sixth overseas.

The last overseas century came at Colombo in 1998-99. But this was very well timed, just enough to lift the spirits of the sagging dressing room after the West Indies had looked like snatching the initiative back on Sunday morning. Not a patch on the great Caribbean fast bowlers of yesteryear but incisive enough to flatten a makeshift opener and another batsman who wants to bat higher up only because he seems to get tired waiting for his turn in the dressing room.

The obsession with Deep Dasgupta should end with this Test as the shaky opener lasted a mere five balls before he was beaten by pace. After his miserable show behind the stumps, this failure should put his place in the team in the right perspective. The team can not afford any more compromises which only invite disasters, for Dasgupta has looked completely out of place thus far.

The dismissal of Sourav Ganguly only exposed the poor planning of the side. That the West Indians had sorted him out was clear from the man standing close to pouch any offering off a short ball. Dillon was on the job when he dug one short and Ganguly took it on his shoulders.

The next ball went whistling past his groping bat. And then came the moment which left the Indian skipper deeply embarrassed. His clumsy attempt to swing Dillon only ended in a comfortable catch at square leg.

The timid dismissal of Ganguly was a blow to the team which had looked up to its skipper to show the way. He was at the crease for just 12 balls. Such was Tendulkar's excellent nick that the same attack which hounded Dasgupta, Ganguly and Das looked ineffective when bowling to the best batsman who is a master on eitherside.

Then came Tendulkar and he straightaway put the bowling in the right perspective. He had read the pitch and the situation deftly enough to pace his innings to the team's advantage. It was not a role he was performing for the first time but he surely was wanting to prove a point or two.

There was a distinct method to Tendulkars charge. He did not give the bowlers a chance to create any pressure around him. The ease with which he clouted Dillon, Cuffy and Sanford indicated his desire to dominate, which was his natural way to serve the team's interest.

There was no point in merely blocking the ball with the intention of surviving. Like Das, who was bent on being cautious even when the ball begged to be hit.

Having been too defensive, Das quickly pounced on the chance to score when Mahendra Nagamootoo tested him. Das helped himself to three boundaries but ultimately paid the penalty for his clumsy approach. The inner-edge that took the bail was a result of Das tentative prod even after facing 97 balls.

Tendulkar alone looked a man out there as he batted with the authority of a master. The way he pasted Adam Sanford and Dillon was outstanding. It was not a flawless performance though. Tendulkar once inner-edged Dillon dangerously close to the stumps and was beaten first ball by the same bowler.

These minor blemishes apart, he was in complete control, once again underlining his awesome contribution to the team. His shots left no one in any doubt that he was determined to enliven this series with his classy batsmanship until that fatal moment when he swung at Nagamootoo and was trapped plumb.

Scoreboard
 
 
WEST INDIES —  1st innings:      501

INDIA —  1st innings:

S.S. Das b Sanford                      33
(98b, 3x4)
D. Dasgupta lbw b Cuffy                  0
(5b)
S. Ganguly c Nagamootoo b Dillon         5
(12b)
S. Tendulkar lbw b Nagamootoo           79
(136b 14x4)
R. Dravid (batting)                     57
(182b, 10x4)
V.V.S. Laxman (batting)                 46
(91b, 7x4)
Extras (b-8, w-2, nb-3, lb-4)           17
	                               ---
Total (for four wkts. at close of 
third day's play)                      237
                                       ---

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Dasgupta), 2-21 (Ganguly), 3-99 (Das), 4-144 (Tendulkar).

West Indies Bowling: Dillon 19.5-3-71-1, Cuffy 14-4-24-1 (w-2), Sanford 15-4-45-1 (nb-2), Nagamootoo 26-10-67-1 (nb-1), Hooper 8-3-11-0, Gayle 4-2-7-0.

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