Is Dravid done with the runs?

Is 'The Wall' crumbling?

This question is probably uppermost the minds of every cricket aficionado in the country. And, problem is, the answer is equally ambiguous.

Rahul Dravid, who was the cornerstone of the Indian middle order for years, is finally showing signs of fatigue, weariness or whatever term you may like to attribute his poor form to.

His performance in the recent few series' have been anything but consistent and, subsequently, questions are being asked about his future. More so because contemporaries like Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly have called it quits   and there are many young players raising their heads -- for entry into the national team -- in eager anticipation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, by retaining the 35-year-old in Grade A in the newly-offered contracts, has made its intent clear: they are not ready to jump the gun. But the prolonged slump in form, regardless of his calibre and earlier achievements, will continue to haunt Dravid's career till he goes back to doing what he does best -- be consisitent with the bat.

We are not going to comment on whether Dravid should be 'rested' or 'dropped' or, for that matter, 'retire.' Instead, here are a few stats which reflect his recent performances. Yes, we do agree, statistics refelect only form. Class is permanent though.

Longest lean patches for India's senior-most batsmen
(Most consecutive innings without scoring even a fifty)

Interestingly, Sachin Tendulkar has managed to score over 1000 runs in 2008 despite going through a lean patch in between. He started the year 2008 with a bang smashing 154 not out, 12, 71, 13 and 153 followed by a mini slump that saw him aggregating only 170 runs in 10 innings between January and October.

The master batsman, however, recovered his form in time with a cracking 88 against Australia in Mohali and since then has scored 10 not out, 68, 47, 109, 12, 37 and 103 not out.

Worst batting average during the lean patches