Rahul Dravid Makes Shock Return To ODI Squad

In what is a rather stunning move, the Indian selectors have named Rahul Dravid in the 16-man squad for the ODIs against England. Dravid had last played in an ODI in 2009 and even that was a comeback after being dropped from the side in 2007.

Dravid has been in excellent touch in the Test matches in England, having scored back to back centuries, but what would have propelled the decision in his favour is the form of the other cricketers. With the ball nipping around in England, even the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni have struggled and their techniques have not been able to resist the English bowling. India have yet to score 300 in the Tests in the four innings they have batted so far.

Dravid’s record in the ODI version of the game is phenomenal, having scored 10765 runs at an average of almost 40. Even his much-spoken about strike-rate had seen an improvement but after the Dhoni took over the captaincy, the selectors had had decided to let go of Dravid.

Dravid, on his part, did not retire from the game despite all thinking that it was the end of the road for him in this format of the game. On his comeback in 2009, while Dravid did not set the stands on fire, he did a good job of scoring 180 runs in the five innings he batted in, at an average of 36. Unfortunately, he had to bear the brunt of the side crashing out in the first round of the Champions Trophy and was given the sack.

Dravid was one of the key members of the Indian side in the 2003 World Cup and was instrumental in helping the Indians get to the final. He kept wickets for India in that tournament which allowed the side to rope in an extra batsman into the playing eleven. He was the top run-getter in the 1999 edition of the World Cup as well, despite India not getting to the semi-finals.

India will play five ODIs against England with the first one to be played on September 3.