For someone who knows there are times when fans want him back in the pavilion so that Sachin Tendulkar can come in to bat, Rahul Dravid has
shown amazing sangfroid. He has been at the crease longer than anyone in Test cricket history. Batting for more than 670 hours, he has faced almost 30,000 deliveries — translating to a full month of his life and a staggering 5,000 overs. Sachin may boast the biggest numbers in the sport’s history, but cricket’s No 2 man is not far behind. In a series that was supposed to be about a young, hungry Indian side rubbing in its No 1 status and Sachin getting to his hundredth ton, it is the quiet Bangalorean who has reaffirmed his status as the team’s crisis man. Soon enough, like always, Dravid’s feats will be forgotten. But for now, let’s celebrate the real Mr Cricket. After all, we are in a moment of crisis….