Rahul Dravid is one of the greatest cricketers to have played for India and was popularly nicknamed the “Wall”. His patience and determination at the crease is unmatchable and there couldn’t be a better team man than him. He kept wickets when India needed him to and always had put country before him. His legacy has been shadowed under all time great Sachin Tendulkar who was born in the same era and Dravid had one of the best techniques in the game.
Rahul Dravid still holds a lot of international records including the most number of catches in Tests by a fielder. Look at his fielding numbers compared with the rest of the cricketers here.
Dravid played 164 tests, 344 ODIs and 1T20I aggregating 13288, 10889 and 31 runs in the respective formats. He had an impressive test average of 52.3 and he was one of the toughest batsmen to dismiss. He captained India for a short period and is currently serving as the head coach of Indian cricket. Here are the top five test innings of Rahul Dravid.
146* vs England, Oval, 2011
Embed from Getty ImagesThis knock from Rahul Dravid has to be rated among his best in his last tour to England in 2011. Despite India losing all the four tests, Dravid looked to be the sole warrior in the series. He was rewarded for his excellent test performance with a recall into the limited overs side. He decided to retire from the limited overs format after the series came to an end.
At the 4th test in Oval, England had put up a big score on board. It needed a stellar effort from the Indian side and Rahul Dravid again stood up alone. He opened the innings and stayed unbeaten until the end of the innings with an unbeaten 146 run knock. Dravid hit 20 fours in the innings and was out there in the crease for more than six hours. It was one of the unforgettable innings from the legendary Rahul Dravid.
217 vs England, Oval, 2002
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the most classy and elegant knocks from Rahul Dravid took the stage at the Oval Stadium in 2002. Dravid dominated the English bowling in the series completely and he finished the series in the best way possible. In reply to England’s 515, Dravid took India closer to the score with a 217 run knock. Read everything about Indian double centurions here.
Dravid hit 28 fours in the innings and his cut shots were a pure delight to watch for the fans. He batted for two days and almost erased the option of an Indian loss. Dravid was awarded the man of the series as well for his brilliant tally of 602 runs in 3 tests. It was indeed a purple patch for the legend.
270 vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 2004
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is Rahul Dravid’s highest individual score in tests as he looked in prolific touch against Pakistan in 2004 at the Rawalpindi. He played a humongous knock of 270 in India’s first innings with 34 fours and one six.
Lakshmipathy Balaji’s 7 wicket match haul in the test ensured that India went on to win the test comfortably. Dravid was adjudged the man of the match for his excellence. It was one of the best Pakistan bowling attacks and it needed a huge effort from him.
180 vs Australia, Kolkata, 2001
Embed from Getty ImagesThis game would have been dedicated to the knock from VVS Laxman, however Rahul Dravid also played a crucial part as well in the famous Kolkata test. In reply to Australia’s 445 in the first innings, India was all out for 171 in the first innings.
Following on, India was stuttering at 232 for 4 wickets when Dravid and Laxman joined hands. Laxman top scored the innings with 281 while Dravid also contributed with a 180 run knock. India went on to win the game by 171 runs and it is one of the historic wins still.
233 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2003
Embed from Getty ImagesProbably, one of the best Tests came from Rahul Dravid as he turned around the game in India’s favour with a brilliant innings. Australia posted a big total on board and the onus was on Dravid to take India close to it after four wickets fell.
He stitched a 303 run partnership alongside VVS Laxman that took India’s fight back. Dravid finished with a 233 run knock in the innings with 23 fours and 1 six in the innings. Dravid continued his good run of form in the second innings as well with an unbeaten 72 and went on to win the game for India.
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