Cricket: Dravid ready to express himself

India's Rahul Dravid averages 52.28 from 131 tests. Photo / AP

Sachin Tendulkar is in the process of being immortalised in wax at London's Madam Tussaud's, and there is also a certain symmetry to an artistic impression of another Indian cricket legend making his farewell tour of New Zealand.

A painting dedicated to Rahul Dravid recently sold for US$115,000 ($216,000) at a contemporary art auction in Mumbai, and appropriately it was dominated by Atul Dodiya's representation of bricks and mortar.

Titled "The Wall" in recognition of Dravid's nickname, the work is a fitting tribute to a mainstay of India's batting since his debut at Lord's in 1996.

Now 36, Dravid is considered to be entering the twilight of a career that has been far from overshadowed in the company of his contemporaries - Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.

Ganguly's retirement late last year fragmented one of the most feared middle orders in world cricket. Dravid is favoured as the next to declare his innings closed, though there is no indication his reflexes have dulled with age.

His work ethic and attention to detail in the nets since arriving in New Zealand illustrate a professionalism that sees him revered in his cricket-mad country.

Dravid may not command the adulation Tendulkar endures, but he has undoubtedly contributed hugely to India's success by filling the pivotal position behind the openers.

He averages around 60 batting at first drop, his rock solid technique and powers of concentration dictate that once set, Dravid can seem almost impossible to dislodge.

Unusually for an Indian batsman he is more prolific away from the low, slow wickets of his homeland - again he scores close to 60 per innings, his overall average from 131 tests is 52.28 heading into tomorrow's series opener against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Bowlers the world over have been worn down by Dravid's obdurate defence, and an array of shots that was not apparent early in his career.

Dubbed "The Wall" for his ability to stonewall attacks, Dravid eventually shed his Geoff Boycott persona and transformed into a right hander with a repertoire to rival Tendulkar in his pomp.

Dravid's reinvention culminated in him playing 333 one-day internationals, often with the wicketkeeping gloves and the batting responsibility of a middle order closer - where quick and inventive runs are mandatory.

Naturally, New Zealand has not escaped Dravid's blend of stoicism and strokemaking - a combination that has realised 10,509 test runs.

Like Tendulkar, Dravid failed to score in his first test innings against New Zealand, a miss he was quick to rectify.

In the next test of the 1998-99 series in Hamilton he became only the third Indian batsman - after Vijay Hazare and Sunil Gavaskar - to score a century in each innings.

Dravid compiled 190 and an unbeaten 103 and when New Zealand embarked on the return tour to India he welcomed them with 144 at Mohali.

The best was yet to come however. In 2003 Dravid amassed 222 at Mohali - one of four double centuries made in the space of 15 tests as he enjoyed the most productive phase of his career.

Dravid assumed the test captaincy in 2005 and presided over historic away series wins in the West Indies and England. His leadership of the ODI side was not as memorable - and will be forever linked to an embarrassing defeat to Bangladesh that ended India's 2007 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean at the group stage.

Poor returns against world champions Australia ended his ODI career in October 2007, while Mahendra Singh Dhoni also inherited the test reins after that year's tour of England.

Having his international workload pared back has not been detrimental - or outwardly demoralising for Dravid.

While Virender Sehwag was setting the tone for his tour in the Twenty20 matches, Dravid honed his preparations by crafting hundreds in for South Zone in India's Duleep Trophy.

He also headed south when arriving in New Zealand, guesting for Canterbury in the State Championship and making a perfunctory century against Central Districts in Rangiora.

Dravid has made 1004 runs against New Zealand at 59.05 in nine tests and indications are he is primed to post more big numbers.

The picturesque Seddon Park might yet provide the canvas for another masterpiece.

- NZPA