Is Dravid the new Laxman?

Over the last 5 years or so, ever since he moved out of selector’s radar for ODIs, VVS Laxman has had the Damocles’ sword hanging over his head. Every failure made his critics ask “Is it not the right time for Laxman to retire gracefully and give the opportunity to a match-winner like Yuvraj?” But the year 2010 has changed that. By playing some crucial knocks in the second innings to win/save important test matches, he has shut his critics’ mouth. But the critics have found a new victim – Rahul Dravid.

It was hardly two tests ago that he played a masterful innings of 191 against the New Zelanders, but failures in the first two tests against South Africa has prompted the critics to yet again question his style of batting; arguing that he slows down the scoring rate for India and hands over the initiative to the opposition. The only reason the critics are not asking for his head yet is that there is no obvious replacement. Raina inability against short ball has been exposed (yet again!) and even if you include Pujara in the playing eleven, it still leaves one slot open.

If Dravid fails again in the third test he may still keep his place in the side but one thing is sure – the sword hanging over his head is unlikely to go away. A good knock may push it away for a while, but like a swinging pendulum it will come back to its ‘rest’ position. In that sense, Dravid has become the new Laxman.