As a fan of Indian cricket, I could not help but think that Rahul Dravid's inclusion in the squad for the upcoming ODI's in England was a giant step backwards.We just won the World Cup without him, but of course, playing cricket in English conditions is very different from playing on the flat pitches and small grounds of the sub-continent.
But still, that doesn't mean you bring a 38 year old batsman virtually out of ODI retirement to come to the aid of an inexperienced batting lineup.
Don't get me wrong, Dravid has been a superb servant of the game for the last 15 years. The solidity he has brought for India batting at number three is unquestionable, and his flexibility as a cricketer (he kept wickets for India in the 2003 World Cup) makes him the kind of player that teams would die for.
But for a team to call him up just for a tour that promises to be challenging does not add up.
What kind of message does his recall send to youngsters trying to break into the squad? We don't trust your skills as batsmen when the skies are murky and the balls doing a bit. Thanks for your hard work, but we'll stick to the old stalwarts when it comes to batting in England or South Africa.
There's a joy in watching a young batsman batting out of his skin in unfamiliar conditions. Baptism by fire is fun to watch.
Dravid will make runs in the ODI's against England, that i'm sure of. But the implications that his short-lived return to the limited overs side will have on cricket in India is worrying.
India are hiding behind The Wall again, and its nothing short of a step backwards.
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