With the Sourav Ganguly - Greg Chapell controversy at the helm during India's tour of Pakistan in 2006, and images of Indian skipper Rahul Dravid and Ganguly seen at loggerheads on eve of the first Test between the two teams, the question on everyone's minds without a doubt was that if Ganguly was to be included in the playing eleven, would he open the innings along with Virender Sehwag.

 

 

Dravid decided to partner Sehwag and the way he negotiated Shoaib Akhtar's opening spell was simply exemplary. Instead of swaying out of an Akhtar bouncer or going for the hook shot, the Indian captain was dabbing down deliveries that were shoulder height or above.

 

Dravid went on to score an unbeaten 128 at Lahore's Gaddafi stadium as India finished with 410/1 in reply to Pakistan's first innings score of 679/7 declared as the first Test ended in a benign draw.

 

The injury to Gautam Gambhir in the Lord's Test meant that the 'Wall' was once again in the position of opening for India and although he made just 36, he did enough to prove that he is Team India's best bet to fit in the spot left vacant by an unfit opener. It was also only fair that Dravid got to his maiden hundred at the home of cricket after having missed out on a ton on debut at the very same venue fifteen years ago.

 

Technically and temperamentally, it is hard to find another batsman at the top of the order who can handle the swinging and bouncing ball at least in the present Indian squad for the England tour. In Gambhir's absence for the second Test of the series, Dravid has to be India's answer to handling the class of bowlers like James Anderson, Chris Tremlett and Stuart Broad, to provide the visitors with the kind of starts that befit the number one team in the world.