Hi,
I’m no big follower of the game, but the declaration of the 1st innings by the Indian side, against Pakistan, in the test match between the two teams, in the ongoing series, really baffled me...
I don’t understand the urgency which urged Dravid to declare the innings, all of a sudden, without even informing the batsmen, about it...
Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainities, but the players should be obviously made aware of the game plan, beforehand. By this action of Dravid’s, the team spirit is lost.
Unless, there is a rule, which says something about declaring only when a batsman gets out, or with a certain number of overs to spare...i am not aware of the existance of any such..., Dravid should have waited for Sachin’s double century and after that, should have declared. Whatever his reasons be, all of them, definitely deglorify the gesture. Forget the relationship which they both would have formed, during all these years of playing together, Dravid should atleast have had consideration for a fellow player. Not just favour him, coz he’s SACHIN, it could have been anybody else too. A senior or a junior player...nobody would now, get the feeling that Dravid encourages other players.
If sachin was on 170s or something like that, it would have been a different matter, altogether. But being so close to 200, it would definitely hurt the little master, deep in his heart !!!Agreed, Sachin was a bit, unusually slow...but that was to complement Sehwag, who was for a test match, playing aggessively.
If Dravid was so firm in principles and dedicated to the team’s interests, atleast he could have sent a message to Sachin, telling him that the declaration would be after 2-3 overs and hence, if he wanted his double ton, hit out !!!
Now, I dont want to sound too critical on Dravid, he’s a fine player himself, very reliable and a lot more dependable than most others in the team, he’s had his highs and lows too...but, this unthoughtful gesture of his, has definitely earned him, HATRED even among his fans !!!
Alright, this is what I think about the whole issue, may all those, who agree or disagree with my opinion, comment...