An endurance record

'I haven't felt the need for a break' - Dravid

Anand Vasu in Chittagong

December 17, 2004

Rahul Dravid notched up his own record at Dhaka © AFP

Rahul Dravid's longevity as a cricketer has never been in doubt and yet when he became the first cricketer to not miss a single one of 85 Tests since his debut, it went largely unnoticed. After Sachin Tendulkar, who had managed 84 on the trot after his debut at the age of 16, Dravid became the owner of a record that he is quietly proud of. Though it's a record that does not rival the others that have been broken in this series when it comes to glamour value, it's one whose worth will become amply clear if or when Dravid is forced to miss a tough series away from home due to injury.

When asked about it, on the eve of the second Test against Bangladesh at Chittagong, where speculation was rife about players being rested, he told Cricinfo, "I've never really felt the need to have a rest. I know the cricket schedule is crammed full, but if you're fit, and the mind is willing, then there's really is no need to rest."

Dravid has come a long way since 1996, when he made his debut at Lord's alongside Sourav Ganguly, but has in many ways stayed the same. "From the time I played the first Test till when I walk out to bat now, I have butterflies in my stomach," said Dravid. "I always do before a Test match. That's the way Test cricket is." There are theories and theories about the right level of calmness and anxiety before a big performance, but any psychologist will tell you that you need a certain level of arousal to be able to focus and give your best.

When the suggestion was put to him that this was as good a time as any to take a break, for his services would be more valued when sterner tests approached, Dravid was quick to pooh-pooh the notion. "No one innings is easier than any other. You say playing against Bangladesh is easier, but I was out for 0 in the last Test."

But surely, there must reach a point when enough is enough. Apparently not for Dravid. "When you're playing Test cricket, or even international cricket for your country, you want to keep doing that. And you always want to do well, whether you've made a hundred in the last match and are in good form, or are struggling and made a duck. There's no question about that, I've always wanted to play."

But the sceptics might suggest that Dravid only wanted to play on because he knew he was nearing a record. Did he know about this statistical landmark? "I know I haven't missed a Test, and when I was in South Africa, someone brought it to my attention that 85 straight would be a record," he said. "So I did vaguely know about this."

But perhaps the one-dayers would be the right time to take a break. After all, who remembers the odd one-dayer against Bangladesh? Dravid does. "Sometimes in one-dayers you do get a chance to take a break, but honestly I simply haven't felt the need."

All that is fine Rahul, you say, but surely your motivation level can't be the same when you are playing Bangladesh as when you're playing Australia in Australia. "For me, it is simple. My interest and motivation has not changed," he replies. "Whether it is the 100th match or the first, there's still enough motivation to go out there and do your thing."

Not long ago, Dravid was in prime form, and three double-hundreds came in the span of a year. Naturally, any sportsman would aim to extend that halcyon period for as long as possible, and make the most of it. But, that, we're told, is not merely what it's all about. "There's no point thinking about making the most of when you're in good form. If it was all about keeping on playing when you're in good form, and making the most of it, then many batsmen could have records like Bradman," said Dravid.

That Bradman came up in the conversation was a mere coincidence, and his statistical achievement - the mythical average - may never be matched by anyone else who plays the game. But even Braddles did not play 85 Tests in a row. In that, at least, Dravid is all on his own, at least for the moment.

Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Cricinfo.

© Cricinfo

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