There are two ways of looking at today's events at St. George's Park. A minority will be disappointed at India's reluctance to go for victory (rain and bad light notwithstanding) - having needed 367 to win from 105 overs at the start of play. The vast majority will be delighted at the way Rahul Dravid and Deep Dasgupta gave Indian cricket a much-needed infusion of pride. Their lengthy 171-run partnership was more bricks and mortar than marble and gold leaf and they need to be commended for that. For too long now, India's cricketers have lacked a blue-collar work ethic to get them through the hard times. We look at Australia, their team spirit and ability to deliver in a crunch situation, with envious eyes, forgetting that courage is not necessarily the monopoly of those in baggy green caps.

Rahul Dravid may have been the senior and more elegant partner but it was Dasgupta, in only his second Test, who was a revelation today. He was criticised in many quarters for his indifferent displays behind the stumps in the one-day series. But for Sameer Dighe getting injured hours before the first Test, the chances are he would have spent the series carrying drinks or reading paperbacks on the dressing-room balcony.

Instead, he has shown the potential to be an integral part of India's Test future. The thorny issue of who partners Das at the top of the order may finally have a solution. While others were ducking left, right and centre to avoid the poisoned chalice that is the opener's slot, Dasgupta had no qualms about taking on the responsibility. And when subjected to some short-pitched treatment today, he stood his ground instead of turning tail and scampering to the pavilion. Those of us that saw Nayan Mongia's cowardly exhibition in Mumbai against Australia could only smile.

It was certainly not an innings that would add value to a highlights package. He miscued a few and edged a few more, played and missed a number of times. But frankly, who gives a damn? An opener's job is not to win marks for artistic excellence but to see the shine off the new ball. And that was a task that Dasgupta accomplished thanks to a combination of skill, luck and plenty of guts.

He faced 281 balls for his 63, and made only 33 scoring shots, before a tired stroke at Hayward cut short his bat-a-thon. While some might call that boring, it was exactly what India needed. Flair isn't worth a thing when you're bowled out twice in two Tests inside 70 overs.

The cynics will say that it was Mike Denness that inspired India to this uncharacteristic back-to-the-wall display. Far better though to accentuate the positive. In Dasgupta's displays - both with the bat and gloves - India have a positive or two to take into the final Test at Centurion Park. Ernest Hemingway said courage was grace under pressure. I believe he was referring to the matadors. In that case, what we can do is take off our sombreros and give Dasgupta an ole or two.

Dileep Premachandran is assistant editor, Wisden.com India.

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