As Indian wickets fell in a heap, Indian captain Rahul Dravid came out with a runner in the morning. He batted without obvious discomfort — and even took a start a couple of times, sensing a single! — but Tuesday was the third day in a row that the skipper's left calf was the subject of long discussions.
Dravid was unbeaten on 57 after the first day; the next morning, he did not take the field. Initially, the scoreboard at the ground had declared him 'retired out', later it was changed to 'retired hurt'.
In the first instance, he would have been deemed to have forfeited his innings, and it would have counted as a dismissal.
When Sussex batted, Dravid did not field and VVS Laxman deputised for him on the second and third days.
On the last day, he came in at No. 7 and propped up the innings. And when Sussex chased the victory target, he was again not on the field.
But the team management insisted that there was nothing wrong with the captain.
"It's just a slight strain," Rufus Rockey, the team manager, said. "If there really had been a serious problem, he would not have taken a risk and would not have batted."
"He batted in the nets in the morning, he's training in the gym," Rockey added. However, Rockey said he would confirm only a couple of days later whether the skipper would play against England A at Chelmsford from Friday.
{{/usCountry}}"He batted in the nets in the morning, he's training in the gym," Rockey added. However, Rockey said he would confirm only a couple of days later whether the skipper would play against England A at Chelmsford from Friday.
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