Dravid not keen to don gloves - and why should he be?

[Sudeep]

We've won a lot more matches due to that extra 7th batsman than lost due to Dravid messing up.

I said unknowingly too.

 

[Sudeep]

agree with that. but id rather have a below average keeper who is an excellent batter than a below average batter who is an excellent keeper. thats my opinion.

india has lost more matches with mongia (due to this disgraceful batting) than because of of dravid's below average keeping.

Patel is not a below average batsman. That's the only aspect I haven't gone too crazy about "Mongia should be included again."

 

[Sudeep]

agree with that. but id rather have a below average keeper who is an excellent batter than a below average batter who is an excellent keeper. thats my opinion.

india has lost more matches with mongia (due to this disgraceful batting) than because of of dravid's below average keeping.

... and those two innings at Sharjah weren't crucial?

 

[Sudeep]

i think dravid's keeping and kaif's fielding balance each other out

How exactly?

Take this scenario:

Dravid drops a catch, Kaif doesn't get an opportunity for a catch. How does that balance each other?

 

[shankar]

If our lower order batsmen were more capable, we can have the luxury of a specialist wicket-keeper. But at the moment they aren't so we have to do this balancing act.

 

[Sudeep]

If our lower order batsmen were more capable, we can have the luxury of a specialist wicket-keeper. But at the moment they aren't so we have to do this balancing act.

Won't Patel and Pathan provide a balacing too?

 

[shankar]

If Pathan can prove his batting ability,especially under pressure, and wins a game or two and Harbhajan and Zaheer improve from the hit and miss batsmen they are now, then we wont need that 7th batsman. But even then we'll have to analyse if we need a specialist keeper more or a 5th bowler.

 

[Raj123]

How exactly?

Take this scenario:

Dravid drops a catch, Kaif doesn't get an opportunity for a catch. How does that balance each other?

dravid doesnt drop too often(he'd be pretty close to patel) but he does give away lots of byes. good fielders help the cause.
i guess the bottom line is,
1.as good as the batting order maybe couple of quick wickets and they all fall in a heap, so we need to bat deep.
2. we just dont have a specialist keeper of international standard.

 

[masterblaster]

To be fair to Dravid, he's done a superb job wearing the gloves (for a part time wicketkeeper).

To wicketkeep in 66+ matches without being a specialist wicketkeeper requires guts, and Dravid being the ultimate team man he is, has LOTS of guts.

He's pulled off some great catches, faired quite well against Kumble, Harbhajan and Kartik, and has been a rock at the number 5 position in ODI's for India.

I say, give the man his due, if he doesnt want to keep, thats all well and good. But don't criticise the man for his honest and splendid efforts.

This Indian team is at ITS MOST successful in recent memory. I cannot understand why people want guys like Mongia back, as when Mongia was in the team, India was overall a very poor and very unsuccessful side.

I always say, if it aint broke, dont fix it. Dont change a winning formula or a winning side. The only inclusion I can see is Patel for Kaif so far, and even then we miss out on a bright young player who is an awesome fielder.

The current set up works for me very well, but if Dravid doesn't want to keep, thats up to him and the team management to decide.

Well done Rahul, you've done a splendid job.