In the morning, it seemed like it was truly a second lease of life for Rahul Dravid. After coming into his own in the first Test at Lord's, he reached sublime form in the second at Trent Bridge only to be rewarded with a place in the one-day side.
But, by the end of the day, it turned out to be an anti-climax, if not a farce.
Dravid, addressing the media, said that the recall had taken him by total surprise. "I was not considered for one-dayers for two years. So, I was not expecting this. This has come as a surprise. I am honoured and privileged to be chosen," he said, politically correct as always.
He went on to add that he would do his best under the circumstances but his body language suggested that there was more to it. Maybe, he wasn't up to it. In fact, he showed the BCCI and its selectors in a totally poor and unprofessional light by saying that this would be his last one-day series.
"I am announcing my retirement from one-dayers and T20," he declared. "I will play this series, of course, but I won't be available after that." He was visibly shocked by the development, rather than pleasantly surprised as many had expected. Dravid made it clear that he simply wanted to focus all his energy on Test cricket.
"I hadn't communicated my intentions to the Board," he said, trying to save the day for the BCCI. "But I am going to play only Tests from now on," he said. "I will try and do my best in these tough conditions," he added.
Dravid, it may be recalled, had last played for the Indian one-day side in 2009. That time too, he had been sent an SOS as the team was preparing for the Champions Trophy in South Africa despite being off the radar since 2007.
With the rest of the batting looking brittle, it was felt that his experience and technique would come in handy. But six months into the experiment, he was shown the door. Since then, it has been a tough ride for him. More importantly, the side went on to win the World Cup, too, virtually sealing his fate. At the same time, he didn't seem as solid as he is wont to be.
Dravid, however, has been the master on this tour, tackling the conditions and the seam, swing and pace of England dexterously. His two centuries stood out, especially, with most of the others at their wits' end. But, clearly, even he has been taken by surprise.
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