Teammates salute Dravid`s contribution to Indian cricket

The cricketing fraternity came together tonight to raise a toast for the retired Rahul Dravid as they fondly remembered the immense contribution of the batting stalwart who emotionally remarked that he would miss being part of the Indian dressing room.

Accolades such as "huge pillar" of Indian cricket "greatest number 3 bat" and one of the "best cricketers and ambassadors" poured in from his former and current teammates who paid glowing tributes in a star-studded felicitation function.

Former captains Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and current skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni were among those who spoke at the function attended by a galaxy of former cricketers, BCCI officials and other dignitaries. While describing him as a "huge pillar", Ganguly said Dravid, who announced his retirement from international cricket on March 9, was a great ambassador of the game.

"He was one of the huge pillar through which Indian cricket went forward. He is one of the greatest batsmen not just in India but in world cricket," Ganguly said.

 "You (Dravid) played in an era when Indian cricket went from strength to strength."

Ganguly rated his 180 against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001 as Dravid`s best knock.

"As far his best knocks are concerned, there are bound to be debates. But as I had said always, the one at Eden Gardens is the best. Though I rate the knocks overseas highly, I think the knock at Eden with VVS (Laxman) not only established him in world cricket but was also important for Indian cricket.

"I am happy that he could take the decision on his own. His contribution to Indian cricket isn`t finished with the number of runs he has scored or the catches he has taken, he is a great ambassador." The left-hander said he was lucky to have Dravid as his deputy when he was the captain of the Indian team.

"I was lucky to have you as vice-captain for five years, the work behind you and John (Wright) did."

Recalling his long career, Dravid said that Dhoni`s team winning the ODI World Cup last year was a "special moment" for him.

Dravid said having spent so much time with the team, he will now miss being part of the Indian dressing room.

"I will miss being part of the dressing room, the banter, the camaraderie but not so much the rap music," Dravid said in a lighter vein. The former Indian captain said that he had made a pact with himself that he would not cry in any of the functions, and it was "tested to the limit" in the last two-three weeks.

Kumble, with whom Dravid combined to effect a number of dismissals, felt it would be difficult for anyone to emulate the cricketer. "It`s been a great partnership with you Rahul. When we look back we can gladly say we will only remember the wonderful memories. I just spoke about the 55 catches you have taken (off my bowling).

"When his first son Samit was born, somebody sms-ed saying caught Dravid b Kumble. But his son cannot be Rahul Dravid. It would be easier for his son to take take 2 wickets than score the number of runs he has scored, just like it would be easier for my son to have a batting average of 18," Kumble said.

"All of us know how he is as a person. During the evening-outs on tours he would know exactly what I hated. He was at times lost in his own thoughts, probably thinking about how he would bat the next day or analysing the day`s proceedings. I know in the next couple of months he would be busy with the IPL. I tell you it’s going to get busier."

Dravid ended his Test career with 13,288 runs – behind only Tendulkar -- in 164 matches, with 36 hundreds and 63 half centuries at an average of 52.31, the 270 against Pakistan being his highest score. In the 50-over format, he scored 10,889 runs from 344 ODIs with 12 centuries and 83 half centuries at an average of 39.16. Laxman, who has been involved in innumerable match-winning partnerships with Dravid, termed the latter as an "all-time great".

"It is a great occasion in the presence of the legends and the Indian greats of cricket to celebrate the end of the illustrious career of one of the all-time greats of the game. A great friend and a colleague.

"I will definitely be missing you in the dressing room. When I first met you as a 16-year-old, playing for Karnataka Under-19, I was impressed with your passion for the game and your style. We then went on to play for India and I cherish our relationship that blossomed over the years.

"In 1996, Rahul made his debut at Lord`s where he got out after scoring 95. He must have been really disappointed not to have got his century. But he proved how much effort, hard work and pride he puts into his game when he scored his century at Lord`s in 2011. Celebrations showed how much it meant for him to score it at the Lord`s for his country. Laxman recalled the sacrifices Dravid made in the interest of the team.

"He has always been a very selfless cricketer. And that was proved by the various roles he has donned as a cricketer over the years. Right from opening the batting to keeping, he has always showed that for him team comes first.

"All the best to Rahul as he prepares to spend the time with his lovely family. I would also like to congratulate his family for the upbringing and the way he has been. Even after achieving so much he has always remained grounded. I am sure he would contribute to Indian cricket in the future also." Dhoni spoke about how different was Dravid in terms of showing aggression.

"At a time when it is considered that aggression is verbal, he never said a word to the opposition. He showed the aggression through taking a catch or staying at the crease and channelise the discomfort and aggression in the best possible manner.

"He is one of the greatest to play the game and the greatest to play at number three. He is someone who has got most catches. He was always ready to do anything for the country and the team when it came to opening the batting, wicket keeping, or fielding at silly point or at the slips."

Dhoni also said that Dravid would easily overcome difficult phases.

"India lost in the first round in the 2007 World Cup and then there was a phase were we won 20-22 matches chasing and Rahul Bhai has been a part of both. He was someone who would walk through the obstacle.

"As a wicket keeper, he has taken some catches which many regular keeper wouldn`t have. It is a tribute from a lot of youngsters who have learned from Jam. Not to forget he could play most of the sports well, be it soccer or badminton. He is a true gentleman," Coming back to Ganguly, the left-hander remembered the century Dravid hit in his early days, against Bengal.

"In our early days, I remember on an ordinary wicket, he got a hundred. I remember in 1990 he debuted for Karnataka and scored a hundred against Bengal.

"It`s good to see you leading a side now (Rajasthan Royals in IPL) and hope you come back for the next season too. It`s been a honour and pleasure to share some wonderful, tough moments," Ganguly said.

indai vs Bangladesh in an Asia Cup league match on today.

India would look to continue their recovery from the horror tour of Australia while Sachin Tendulkar would aim to the get the burden of a 100th international ton off his back when the team squares off against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup league match on today.

The 50-run victory over Sri Lanka was just the kind of start India needed in the continental tournament after being quite literally thrashed during an over-three-month-long tour of Australia.

The team`s batsmen, who were hopping about in misery on the pacy tracks Down Under, found comfort in the familiar sub-continental environs and made enough for their bowlers to come through despite leaking runs early on an unhelpful pitch.

But one man, whose woes seem unending is Tendulkar. The 38-year-old right-hander, who has almost every international record under his belt, has been without a hundred for over a year now.

The much-awaited 100th international ton has proved so elusive that it has raised concerns as to whether the stat is hampering Tendulkar`s form to an extent and the seasoned cricketer would be desperate to get the monkey off his back.

Tendulkar`s determination can be gauged from the fact that he turned up for an optional net session yesterday where only three of India`s 15-member squad turned up.

Tendulkar has gone 33 century-less innings, which is just one less than his longest barren spell ever. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have successfully carried their good one-day form from Australia to this tournament as well and both scored their 10th international centuries to make that point against Sri Lanka.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni also got some much-needed feel of the conditions when he pushed himself up the order against the islanders to fire an entertaining 46-run knock.


Suresh Raina too seemed to be recovering from the disaster Down Under in the batting-friendly conditions here. It will be interesring to see if Manoj Tiwary, who did not play a single ODI in Australia, gets a chance to play.

On the bowling front, the growing confidence of comeback pacer Irfan Pathan, who grabbed four wickets against Sri Lanka, is a massive plus for India. But given that express pace is missing from the attack, the bowlers would have to rely on their willow-wielding counterparts to bat oppositions out of the game.

Despite being overwhelming favourites, India cannot afford to be complacent given Bangladesh`s past record of being giant-killers.

They gave Pakistan a scare in the tournament-opener, showing they are quite a handful in front adoring home fans. Tamim Iqbal and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan batted well against Pakistan but the home team would expect stronger performances from the likes of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and Nazimuddin.

Their top bowler Mashrafe Mortaza would also be expected to tighten up against a formidable Indian line-up, which is known to flourish in sub-continental conditions.

"We are confident about the next game against India and we are looking forward to do something good. It would be good game if we can restrict India within 260 to 265 runs on this wicket and I`m confident that`s possible for us," said all-rounder Nasir Hossain.


On the chances of senior India batsman Sachin Tendulkar scoring his elusive 100th international hundred against Bangladesh, Nasir came up with an interesting reply: "A good ball is a good ball for everyone irrespective of whether Tendulkar is playing it or not."

Quick facts
* The century against Sri Lanka in the first match was Virat Kohli’s second consecutive. Another century against Bangladesh will make him the first India batsman, and the fifth overall, to score hundreds in three consecutive ODIs.

* Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni averages 99.85 in 16 innings since the World Cup including nine not outs.

Match starts at 1.30 pm

Ind vs Aus: Australia crush India by 122 runs at MCG

Fine bowling performances by James Pattinson (4/53) and Peter Siddle (3/42) guided Australia to register a crushing 122-run victory over India on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Today.

Spinner Nathan Lyon finally got the wicket as he scalped Umesh Yadav to bowl out India for 169 in 47.5 overs in their second innings.

Aussie seamers were on a roll right from the start as they claimed half of the Indian side inside 70 runs to put Australia on top against the visitors.

Paceman James Pattinson, who was certainly the hero of the day, dismissed Zaheer Khan (13) and skipper MS Dhoni (23) in quick succession as he claimed four wickets giving away just 53 runs in 15 overs.

Pattinson was truly rewarded with the man of the match award for his match-winning performance.

Seamer Peter Siddle claimed R Ashwin, who played a breezy knock of 35-ball 30 that included five fours, soon after the tea interval as India lost their seventh wicket at the score of 117. India were 117 for six at tea.

Chasing 292 for victory, India lost the momentum in the post-lunch session after losing five of their crucial wickets in the second session against Australia on Day 4 of the first Test at MCG.

Peter Siddle joined the party who got the prized wicket of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar as India lost their sixth wicket at the score of 81 on Day 4 of the first Test.

Tendulkar, who was in good touch, went for the drive on a widish delivery but it was well caught by Michael Hussey at gully to give India another jolt. Tendulkar scored a quickfire 32 of 46 balls with the help of four boundaries.

Earlier, paceman James Pattinson double-strike gave India denting blow as he dismissed Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in quick succession followed by Ben Hilfenhaus who claimed his second by trapping Virat Kohli for duck.

India lost Dravid, Laxman and Kohli in a span of 11 runs. Laxman's trademark flick off Pattinson went straight to Ed Cowan at square leg, who made no mistake in grabbing it, as India were tottering at 69/5 from 58/3 at one stage.

Pattinson cleaned up Dravid who managed to score only 10 runs in the second innings. Dravid got out in a similar fashion the way he lost his wicket in the first innings.

The angular full-length delivery from Pattinson went through between bat and pad of Dravid to hit the timber.

Peter Siddle had Gautam Gambhir, soon after lunch, caught by Ricky Ponting at second slip to put India under pressure on the fourth day of the first Test.

India were 24 for one at lunch in their Indian second innings in pursuit of a 292-run victory target.

The Indian run chase got off to a bad start as Michael Hussey took a sharp catch at gully to dismiss Virender Sehwag off Ben Hilfenhaus.

Sehwag (7) went for a wild swing at a wide delivery, middled it but Hussey grasped it out of thin air over his head to dismiss the dangerman for Australia.

Earlier in the day, India bowled out Australia for 240 runs in their second innings which left them with a 292-run victory target after Hussey and James Pattinson resumed the Australian second innings on Day 4.

Ishant Sharma took the last Australian wicket when he had Ben Hilfenhaus caught by VVS Laxman at second slip. Zaheer Khan squared up Michael Hussey with an absolute beauty and had him caught behind by MS Dhoni.

Hussey hit 9 fours in his 89-run knock before edging a good length delivery outside the off-stump that kicked up a hint and seamed away from him.