Long renowned for his impenetrable technique, Rahul Dravid hopes his recent frailties in defence are a mere coincidence rather than a worrying trend.
Dravid, known as The Wall by his legion of adoring Indian fans, has been bowled six times in his past eight Test innings, including three times in the current series against Australia.
He was also bowled off a no-ball by Peter Siddle in the first Test at the MCG.
The recent nature of outs have prompted some experts to question whether Dravid’s once-perfect technique is deteriorating with age.
Dravid celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday, saying: “any number scares you after 30 I think”.
But the affable right-hander is adamant his technique remains as strong as ever, declaring he could find nothing wrong with his recent batting style.
“When you do get out three times you do think about it, so I’ve worked on a few things. But I don’t think it’s anything major or too wrong,” Dravid said.
“I can’t see anything that I’ve drastically changed or anything I’ve done drastically different.
“So I hope it’s just a coincidence and I hope I can set it right.”
India, down 2-0 in the series, are under the pump both on and off the field heading into the third Test at the WACA Ground, starting on Friday.
Dravid denied rumours that captain MS Dhoni and his deputy Virender Sehwag had disagreed over training practices.
And the veteran batsman defended the decision of several players to conduct a go-karting session on Monday night, saying the team needed a light-hearted social meet-up in order to better bond.
“You don’t learn through sitting in meetings and having power-point presentations, that’s not how teams work,” Dravid said.
“A lot of conversations happen in the course of dressing rooms, in the course of dinners, in the course of when we go go-karting.
“There’s a healthy conversation going on in and around the team.
“I think the spirit in the team has been good. The enthusiasm to practice and the overall energy around the squad has been good.”
Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin sparked a war of words on Monday when he labelled the Indian team as fragile.
But Dravid claimed the comments failed to ruffle the feathers of any players.
“I don’t think we need anyone’s comments to motivate ourselves,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re that bothered.”
jameswm
Guest
Dravid's technique has holes in it that I haven't noticed before. He looks all ove the place at times and not the batsman he was. He needs some education to add more bricks to his wall.
Jason
Guest
That's great news. Continue along like nothing is wrong and the Australian bowlers will continue to dismiss him with off cutters hitting the top of off stump.
Rugby Reg
Guest
i agree vas, if they did not get though his gate, he would have been LBW anyway. those balls were rippers!
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
People always talk about Dravid as if it's him who is doing something wrong. Has anyone noticed that it might be some damn good bowling that is dismissing a batsman with a damn good technique? No technique is 100% foolproof. With the exception of the 1st innings in Sydney (batpad catch), Dravid has been delivered three peaches that if he couldn't survive, very few could. Nothing is wrong with Rahul Dravid. He's still classy as ever. He's just meeting some damn good bowling. Cricket is the winner.