Rahul Dravid, the former India captain, smiles when reminded of the infamous 1997 Test match at Kensington Oval, Barbados. It was the game where India, chasing a modest target of 120, collapsed to a paltry 81 against the West Indies. On the eve of India’s Super 8 match against Afghanistan, Dravid, known for his stoic nature, brushes off the painful memory. “We have decent memories here too,” he laughed, adding that he prefers to focus on the present rather than dwell on the past.
The 51-year-old, who scored 78 and two runs in that Test, explained that dwelling on nostalgia isn’t his style. When asked if Thursday’s game presents an opportunity to erase that painful memory, Dravid replied, “I’m not trying to make new memories or anything else. I move on from things very quickly – that is one of my qualities. I do not look back; I only look at what I’m doing at the moment.”
Despite his nonchalant approach, Dravid still remembers key numbers from that game, showcasing his remarkable memory. He doesn’t let the past cloud his judgment, stating, “I’m not concerned about what happened in 1997. But if you had told me that by winning tomorrow’s game, you could ensure that we scored 120 instead of the 80-odd we got, then I would be interested. But even if we win tomorrow’s match, that is still going to remain 80 (sic, 81) on the scorecard. “However much I try and will it to happen, the scorecard will remain on 80. So I don’t think back – either on the good or bad times. I don’t think of myself as a player anymore,” Dravid concluded.
