WHEN the national selectors picked the probables for the Champions Trophy in South Africa in July, Rahul Dravid's inclusion in the list of 30 players came as a huge surprise to many. Including Dravid.

The former India skipper had not played an ODI since he was dropped in 2007 and with every passing tournament, his chances of playing limited overs cricket for India diminished.



In fact, just a few months before his name showed up in the list of probables, Dravid told sports psychologist Dr Bhishmaraj P Bam that his chances of playing ODIs for India appeared over.

Given up

Bam, a sports psychologist, has been in constant touch with Dravid over the last decade or so and has helped him become a more accomplished limited overs player. "I was in Bangalore last summer and had a chance to catch up with him. During that chat, he told me that he does not fancy his chances of playing ODIs again. In fact, he had planned to go on a holiday around this time. Obviously, he will have to cancel it now," Bam told MiD DAY from Nashik.

Dravid is also part of the Indian team which will tour Sri Lanka for a tri-series where New Zealand is the third team.

"Rahul also said that it did not affect him so much as it was up to the selectors to pick or drop him and he was happy playing Test cricket for India and Twenty20 in the IPL," added Bam, a retired Inspector General of Police.

Many believe that Dravid's selection is a backward step for Indian cricket. While some feel that since the 36-year-old was unceremoniously dropped, he might have a point to prove. "If Rahul has been picked because he is Rahul Dravid then it is a wrong decision. But if he is picked because youngsters are falling short in some aspects of the game which Rahul can make up for, then there is nothing wrong with it," Bam said.

Nothing to prove

"And the question of proving a point does not arise. All Rahul has to do is what he knows bestu00a0- attaining team goals," said Bam, adding that the batting stalwart's mental strength will help him immensely.

"He has to go out and take charge of the situation. Take charge of every ball that he faces. That is the secret to success for everyone. Doing that is a mental thing and like all great players, Rahul has a lot of mental strength. One can never predict the mental state of a player accurately, but if he can keep distractions out of his mind, there is no reason why he won't do well," Bam said.