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[achutank]

or just spot-fixing it at one-down?

[Blwe_torch]

It seems, nobody is taking the bait....
But, I feel, they'll come around.

[ramshorns]

It will be atleast till the end of SA series or another 6 Tests before RD is even touched in my estimates.  As long as the team keeps winning Tests as they have doing pretty regularly the media focus and heat is away from RD whose occasional good score should see him through.  The SA tour could be his last unless he again goes on a purple patch and then he would have bought himself a fresh lease of life unless he decides to hang it up.  RD is amazingly fit so that will not be an issue.  Also SG's retirement has helped RD where one or two spots are readily available for the youngsters to fit in.

[RicePlateReddy]

Barring injuries to the regulars, the next time Pujara will play a test will be when Dravid retires. I think he will retire before he is dropped, if is place is threatened. This is Dravid's run in tests since 1/1/2009:

In NZ: (66, 8*), (83, 62), (35, 60) <-- Avg: 62.80
Home vs SL: (177, 38), (144), (74) <-- Avg: 108.25
In Ban: (4, 24), 111* <-- Avg: 69.5
In SL: (18, 44), (3), (23, 7) <-- Avg: 19.0
Home vs Aus: (77, 13), 1 <-- Avg: 30.3

The 77 was a fluent knock where he looked good. He is not his former self, but 1. he is a bigger FTB or WAB (weak attack bully) that the other FTB/WAB contenders and 2. he merits his place, still.

[ramshorns]

It will be atleast till the end of SA series or another 6 Tests before RD is even touched in my estimates.  As long as the team keeps winning Tests as they have doing pretty regularly the media focus and heat is away from RD whose occasional good score should see him through.  The SA tour could be his last unless he again goes on a purple patch and then he would have bought himself a fresh lease of life unless he decides to hang it up.  RD is amazingly fit so that will not be an issue.  Also SG's retirement has helped RD where one or two spots are readily available for the youngsters to fit in.

Time to bump this baby up.

RD in this  3rd Nagpur Test versus NZ played the most critical knock in the entire series for the Team that won the game and the series and him the man of the match.

Plus he has one other century as well in the series.

Now to the all important 3 Test SA Test series. It will be interesting to see what RD does from here.  If he fails and the teams loses then the selectors hand may be forced.  However if he does very well then what?  Will he retire or taking a cue from SRT's purple patch will he be tempted to play on for the next 12-14 months where India is slated to 14 Tests after the WC with tours to Eng, Aus, WI looming on the horizon.  RD is amazingly fit and he is a pro's pro.  So I do not see him retiring after the SA series and will continue till atleast the end of next year.  Interesting 6 weeks ahead.  Can't wait for the SA tests to get underway.

[indcric]

he is a bigger FTB or WAB (weak attack bully) that the other FTB/WAB contenders and 2. he merits his place, still.

Dravid a Flat Track Bully? Where did you get this news (news because, no body knows this till now)? His away average is better than any other great Indian batsman (Tendulkar's away average is same as Dravid's).

Dravid has scored centuries in SA against Pollock & Donald. He scored centuries in England. When no body including Brian Lara could score anything on a WI pitch, he scored 2 half centuries to help win India a series in WI after a long time. I don't know how you came up with this FTB stuff

[RicePlateReddy]

he is a bigger FTB or WAB (weak attack bully) that the other FTB/WAB contenders and 2. he merits his place, still.

Dravid a Flat Track Bully? Where did you get this news (news because, no body knows this till now)? His away average is better than any other great Indian batsman (Tendulkar's away average is same as Dravid's).

Dravid has scored centuries in SA against Pollock & Donald. He scored centuries in England. When no body including Brian Lara could score anything on a WI pitch, he scored 2 half centuries to help win India a series in WI after a long time. I don't know how you came up with this FTB stuff

Please read the full context - I am not disparaging his greatness. In the last couple of years, he hasn't been his former self. I meant to say that even in this state, I feel he can bully weaker attacks and exploit lifeless pitches more than most.

[dextrous]

he is a bigger FTB or WAB (weak attack bully) that the other FTB/WAB contenders and 2. he merits his place, still.

Dravid a Flat Track Bully? Where did you get this news (news because, no body knows this till now)? His away average is better than any other great Indian batsman (Tendulkar's away average is same as Dravid's).

Dravid has scored centuries in SA against Pollock & Donald. He scored centuries in England. When no body including Brian Lara could score anything on a WI pitch, he scored 2 half centuries to help win India a series in WI after a long time. I don't know how you came up with this FTB stuff

Please read the full context - I am not disparaging his greatness. In the last couple of years, he hasn't been his former self. I meant to say that even in this state, I feel he can bully weaker attacks and exploit lifeless pitches more than most.

even if its painful to watch!