Living up to it

It would take an earthquake of more than six in the cricketing Richter scale to make cracks in The Wall. The second best one-day team in the world has already taken two shots and doesn’t have to its credit, not even a scratch.
Rahul Dravid has executed the opening gambit in the best possible manner as he began the latest of phase of his career. Two emphatic wins over Sri Lanka—Nagpur and Mohali—do not finish off the argument but it definitely is a pointer to what can be achieved with the current crop of Indian cricketers, if guided in the right manner.
There are two points to take note of now. Most important is the authority with which Dravid has taken charge of the team. And look at the kind of response, a team that was supposed to be split vertically a few weeks ago, has given the new skipper.
Change at the helm has not been just in a new face. Change in approach has seeped into the fifteen and is reflected on the scoreboard, where there is no room for ambiguities.
It is true, Indian selectors did announce Dravid as skipper for two consecutive series. An unprecedented move. In another words that just means power for only 12 one-dayers at home. You may lose more than you win in one-dayers, since you cannot employ defensive tactics to save your skin there.
Dravid is smart enough to realize that there is a lot that left unsaid in that announcement. Powerful reactionary forces are still at work that could scuttle the changes.
Though it is not said openly Dravid’s steps as captain are watched with diabolical attention. A few false steps would hasten the return of the divisive forces.
When selectors gave Dravid the reins of the team they had, however, kept the backdoor open without taking a firm decision on Saurav Ganguly.
Dravid has lived up to the selectors tease in impeccable fashion. He has plugged the gaps on the field, scored the runs, let others score and take wickets, and furthered Team India’s cause. An early finish in India’s favour at Mohali has now shifted the pressure to national selectors.