Just 5 games after return and he has been dropped again

Few weeks back, nobody had expected the return of Rahul Dravid to ODI squad.And now, after playing hardly 5 matches, he has been dropped from the team.Looks weird, but it shows that the selectors had brought him back as a panic reaction (due to early exit from T20 WC).
He was supposed to cement the innings- which he did perfectly on his comeback.In Compaq cup, when Team India was chasing 300+ score against SriLankans, he was the only man to stay at the crease, scoring 47 from 56 balls.In the finals, he opened the innings with Sachin and added 95 runs in 17 overs.In Champions Trophy, chasing 300+ total against deadly Pakistan bowling attack, he fought till the end with brilliant 76.In all these innings, he had the strike rate around 80, which suited his role in Indian batting line-up.
Now when the focus shifts to the dead flat tracks in India, the selectors don't need him anymore.

"I don't know why they didn't continue with him.It's a call that the selectors made. I don't think someone who has played that long, of that stature, should have been dropped in that way after having performed in the Champions Trophy.I certainly would have wanted him to continue but probably the selectors thought that he came as a replacement for Virender Sehwag and Sehwag was fit so he had to go, maybe that was the reason."

-Anil Kumble

Live talk with Rahul Dravid during the game against Otago:

He has got a great sense of humor.Enjoy!




Hi Rahul.I thought you look like running around like a 19 or 20 year old.Working hard on your fitness?
Ya.I've been trying to work hard on it.It's just the game isn't it T-20s.You watch everyone run around so you run around and there is no place to hide in the slips like in the test match.

How can RCB make it to League stage?

After the loss against Cape Cobras, it is not all over for RCB.They are still in a race to League stage.
Let's see how it can work out-

• There are 4 groups with 3 teams each.In Group stage, every team plays 1 match against the teams in it's group.
• 2 out of the 3 teams in each group will go ahead to League stage.

For RCB, it is a must-win game against Otago.If RCB beats Otago and

• if Otago loses against Cobras too, they are out.
• if Otago beats Cobras, all the three teams will carry 2 points each and NRR (Net Run Rate) will come into play.

So, the conclusion is- RCB should beat Otago comprehensively to fix their spot in League stage.

It was a D-day: Hard luck RCB

Hard luck RCB! After scoring massive 180 and taking two quick wickets, no one would have thought that Cape Cobras can make it.But it was J.P.Duminy all the way.He played a fighter innings at the start and went on to become a champion in the end.99 from 52 balls tells us the story.Duminy won it single handedly for Cobras.Hats off to him!
Before that, Kumble won the toss and elected to bat.RCB lost Kallis early but Uthappa and Rahul Dravid added 68 runs off 47 balls.Uthappa was horrible throughout his innings, lucky to be there at the crease after top edging on 2 occasions.On the other hand, Dravid started with a beautiful straight drive and a perfect cover drive.Superb catch by Gibbs sent Uthappa (51 from 39 balls) back to the pavillion.Rahul was run-out on 28 (from 24 balls) trying to get the 2nd run.After that, it was Taylor all the way.He scored 53 from 24 balls with 4 hits over the rope.RCB managed to put a huge total of 180 in 20 overs.
Cape Cobras made sure that the run-rate never falls below 7 inspite of the loss of 2 quick wickets.They were new to the Indian conditions, specially the noise (!) from the crowd.J.P.Duminy, who was the only player who played consistently well for Mumbai Indians, had the responsibility to chase the uphill total, after the loss of Gibbs early.He played a dream innings which gave Cobras the 2 precious points.
RCB's next match is scheduled on 12th against Otago.Good luck RCB!