Rahul – The Wall – Dravid is studiously portrayed by the media as having a “super-clean” and “gentlemanly” bearing. Of being true to the sport’s ideals, of having conducted himself with rare dignity etc.,

Until sometime back, I would have agreed with that. For Rahul is an example of making it mostly through hard work (he got into Karnataka U-15 side through his dad btw). He is not supremely gifted like Sachin Tendulkar, nor classy like Saurav Ganguly, but he is dedicated to getting it right – and has done it through sheer effort.
He also avoids controversies like the plague – as well as avoiding giving ‘quotable quotes’ – or coming on as someone playing mindgames.

Up Until the previous Pakistan tour I would generally have said he is a very fair guy, gentlemanly, et al. But what he did during that series, and in the subsequent ones put him in a new light – he single handedly denied Sachin Tendulkar the chance to score a double hundred when the great man was 6 runs away from it. 6 runs.

And then, in an ODI that Sachin could have won for India – he and another team member(forget who) – advised Ganguly to alter the field for the last ball – despite Sachin not wanting. Those were the days when Ganguly was under increasing flak – and the poor man couldnt do much but comply. The result – for 5 balls Sachin had given away 2 runs – asking was 4. And then, we lost it in the last ball – and only because Sachin did not get the field he wanted.(remember the Hero Cup?)
A man who doesnt respect the innate talent of Sachin Tendulkar doesnt beget much respect from me. Even if he has a higher Test average than Tendulkar.

Anyways, here’s hoping that Team India wins the test series 2-0.