Velvet and iron

Rahul Dravid's captaincy credentials and cricketing nous were never better illustrated than on the third day of the Mumbai Test against Australia last November. Ricky Ponting's men needed just 107 to inflict a humiliating 3-0 series defeat on the Indians, and though Zaheer Khan had struck with the second ball of the innings, Ponting and Matthew Hayden powered their way to 24 from four overs after Harbhajan Singh had been asked to share the new ball.

Dravid's response was to toss the ball to Murali Kartik, who had bowled beautifully at times under his captaincy during the debacle at Nagpur a few days earlier. Perhaps emboldened by the responsibility - Anil Kumble, the team's talisman with the ball, was still waiting his turn - Kartik responded magnificently. His first delivery flummoxed Ponting, and with the last ball of the over, he produced the perfect arm-ball to befuddle Damien Martyn, whose resplendent batting against the slow bowlers had played such an immense role in Australia's series victory.

Thereafter, the pressure was relentless, and with a pitch of dubious quality also playing up, Australia never looked likely to reach their target. Dravid replaced a tiring Harbhajan with Kumble in the 20th over, only to bring him back for the decisive push when Kartik had exhausted himself. Despite valiant efforts from Jason Gillespie, Nathan Hauritz and Michael Kasprowicz, it was India that edged home by 15 runs. The cynics would point to the plumes of dust from a crumbling pitch, but without Dravid's assured leadership, it was a match that would have disappeared with a few beefy blows from the top order.

The steel behind the suave exterior had been revealed six months earlier in Multan, when he declared India's first innings closed with Sachin Tendulkar six short of a double-century. The hysterical reaction from some quarters was enough to make one wonder whether it was a declaration or culpable homicide, but speaking to the media after India had wrapped up an emphatic innings win, Dravid was in no mood to repent. "It's a matter that we've discussed with each other within the team," he said when asked about it. "Those involved have got together and had a chat, and the matter's closed. I think it's important now just to concentrate on what we've achieved in this match."

Such ruthlessness has always been part of Dravid's make-up, and has contributed immeasurably to him elevating his game to become the world's best Test batsman. Since that remarkable 180 at the Eden Gardens in March 2001, an effort eclipsed only by Laxman playing an epoch-defining innings at the other end, he has averaged 61.97 from 51 Tests, and played a pivotal role in every Indian victory of consequence. India's two greatest away victories were built around his colossal contributions, a near-perfect 148 at seam-friendly Leeds (2002) and 305 runs spread over 835 minutes at Adelaide (2003) after Australia had amassed 556 in their first innings. Along with Kumble, he has been India's most valuable player as they set about rewriting a deplorable away record.

The question now is whether he can shoulder both the cares of captaincy and the burden of being the batting line-up's Mr Dependable. He did a stellar job on both fronts in the one-dayers against a lacklustre Sri Lankan side, but the real test will come in the five-day game. Coincidentally or not, his five Tests in charge have produced few runs, and critics and well-wishers alike will worry about whether he goes the Michael Vaughan way - inspirational leader with few runs to show for it.

Dravid's preparation for Test matches has always been nothing short of meticulous, with visualisation and relaxation techniques employed before each outing to the middle. With the captaincy to think of, it remains to be seen how effectively he can compartmentalise. In that regard, he will find no better guide than his coach. Greg Chappell averaged 55.38 in 48 Tests as captain of Australia, as opposed to a figure of 51.8 from the 39 matches where he was merely one of the boys.

Like Chappell, Dravid thinks a good game, and has never shied away from taking responsibility in tough situations. Given his achievements down the years and the fact that he would certainly be the first name on the team-sheet, he will have no difficulty with respect from his team-mates. Those who tread water, or look for the easy way out, will swiftly be cast aside, as they should be. As Australia's selectors have shown with their pitiless post-Ashes purge, there's no place for sentiment or emotion when it comes to constructing a winning team.

In Dravid - backed up by a coach whose philosophy ties in with his own - India certainly have the right man to push them to greater heights. The velvet glove may deceive some, but certainly not those who will feel the iron fist in the coming months.