Rahul Dravid: An all-time great?

Rahul Dravid: An all-time great?


  • Total voters
    63
Laxman, Tendulkar, Dravid were quiet humble and reserved. Even among them Dravid is even more humble. Happy Birthday Champ
 
He was ok. Decent batsman in Tests. That's all. Indian media was gaga over him for his looks and gentlemanly behaviour. But Sachin was more prolific and Sehwag and Laxman were more impactful.
 
New Delhi [India], Jan 11 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, commonly known as 'The Wall' is renowned for doing everything that the team asked from him and enabling the side to turn the tables after being completely down and out.

As the ace Indian batsman celebrates his 47th birthday today, let's have a look at some of his finest knocks in international cricket.

When one thinks about Dravid's great knocks, it is hard to go past his 180-run knock against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001. This innings by the batsman is still viewed as one of the grittiest knocks in Test cricket.

Australia was in a dominant position for the majority of the match and the game was a must-win for India after losing the first Test. Australians were in total control at the Eden Gardens as they enforced the follow-on. In the first innings, India was bundled out for 171 in reply to Australia's 445.

In the second innings, Indian openers were dismissed and it was then that Dravid and VVS Laxman came up with a rescue act. Nobody would have anticipated that the duo would go on to produce a 'miracle' for the side. The duo went on to put up a stand of 376 runs. Laxman and Dravid dismantled the Aussie bowling attack which comprised of Shane Warne and Glenn Mcgrath.

Another knock is his 270-run innings against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2004.

The three-match series was levelled at 1-1 and there was pressure on the Indian side to register their first Test series win in Pakistan. Dravid, who did the stand-in captain duties for the first two Tests, was relieved of the captaincy as regular skipper Sourav Ganguly came back to the side.

Dravid was out of touch in the previously held two matches, and in the game, Dravid blasted his critics with a 200-plus knock. Virender Sehwag was sent to the pavilion on the first ball of the match, and from there onwards, the Wall took the charge.

His knock enabled India to win the game and he went on to be adjudged as the man of the match.

One of the most under-rated innings of Dravid has to be his 146-run knock against England at the Oval in 2011.

India's batsmen had a poor series with the bat, and the side was 0-3 down going into the final match. Regular opener Gautam Gambhir was suffering from an injury, and as a result, Dravid turned up again and came out to open the batting.

India kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, but he stood firm on his ground and went on to play an unbeaten knock of 146. His innings was not able to save the match for India, but the batsman went on to become the leading run-scorer for the side in the series.

Dravid also showed great team spirit, as in the ODI format, he took up the duties of a wicket-keeper as the side's management thought that they could play an extra bowler if a well-set batsman also turns to be the wicket-keeper.

He is the only player to be involved in two 300-plus ODI partnerships.

The batsman played 164 Tests, 344 ODIs and one T20I for India. He finally announced his retirement from international cricket in March 2012. Dravid finished his career with 48 international centuries.

His love for the country and cricket still shows as he has taken up the role of coaching the junior Indian sides (India U-19, India A). He is also the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). (ANI)

https://in.news.yahoo.com/rahul-dravid-turns-47-heres-look-finest-knocks-040256396.html
 
During his 10 years as an England player, Kevin Pietersen ranked as one of the world's most watchable, explosive batsmen – particularly in limited-overs cricket.

Now KP joins Rob Key and Nick Knight for a one-day batting masterclass, where he discloses some of the secrets of his technique and the influences behind his approach to batting.

Some of those might come as a surprise - for example, the ex-England batsman demonstrates his famed switch-hit, which he says was partly the product of hours spent playing squash as a youngster.

Pietersen also recalls how his Indian Premier League experiences, batting alongside world-class players such as Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag, helped him to expand his repertoire at the crease.

"Dravid wrote me the most beautiful email, explaining the art of playing spin and ever since then it was a whole new world," said Pietersen. "The key point was looking for the length as soon as the ball was delivered - wait for the spinner and make your decision."

KP also discusses the importance of head position, outlines what he calls his '4-3-2-1' attitude to run-scoring - and also reveals the shots that he found hardest to play throughout his career.

Meanwhile, Knight - whose ODI average was remarkably similar to Pietersen's - analyses how one-day batting tactics changed after the end of his own international career.

"I would always look to play with the spin, the coaching manual told me to play with the spin," he said. "People like Kevin and Dravid looked to play against the spin and to me that was so foreign - I was fearful of getting out!

"That's how the game has evolved. Brave players would see it differently."

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...in-one-day-batting-masterclass-for-sky-sports
 
I think he is not an ATG. He was just good. Tendulkar is an ATG.

Technique is not everything.
 
A true icon of the game. He was pivotal in most of India's major wins between 2001-06.

He had it all- class, style, looks and Gentlemanly behaviour.
 
Players with 5000+ away runs
Player Span Mat Runs Avg 100 50
AR Border (AUS) 1979-1994 70 5431 56.57 14 28
SR Waugh (AUS) 1986-2003 76 5083 55.85 16 20
SR Tendulkar (INDIA) 1989-2012 106 8705 54.74 29 36
JH Kallis (ICC/SA) 1997-2012 74 5919 53.8 20 23
R Dravid (ICC/INDIA) 1996-2012 94 7690 53.03 21 36
SM Gavaskar (INDIA) 1971-1986 60 5055 52.11 18 22
IVA Richards (WI) 1974-1991 73 5404 50.5 13 31
Younis Khan (PAK) 2000-2017 71 5608 48.76 16 19
BC Lara (ICC/WI) 1990-2006 66 5736 47.8 17 22
S Chanderpaul (WI) 1994-2015 81 5579 46.1 11 33
RT Ponting (AUS) 1996-2012 71 5360 45.81 16 23
AN Cook (ENG) 2006-2018 66 5295 45.64 17 22
VVS Laxman (INDIA) 1997-2012 77 5014 42.49 9 32

Dravid had exceptional away record.
 
Clearly an ATG, but his record away in Aus, Sa puts him below top tier people like Lara, Tendulkar, Smith, Chappel, Waugh and many more.
A top 15-20 test bat of all time
 
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to form a COVID-19 Task Force for the resumption of cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

The Task Force will guide and monitor all trainees and staff within the centre. As per the SOP issued by the Board, NCA cricket director, Rahul Dravid will be part of it. The other members would be a medical officer, a hygiene officer and BCCI AGM, Cricket Operations.

Their responsibilities would be including but not limited to, “communicate clearly and regularly with players and other stakeholders” and explaining measures being taken to manage risk, and the advice being given to individuals to follow the same.

They must also monitor the movements of all players and outsourced staff through a movement register. “It is advised that CCTV cameras are operational throughout the centre.”

Training of facility management staff to follow the protocols COVID-19 task force shall work closely with the coaches and support staff to define guidelines and protocols.

“The training which can be effectively performed other than on field of play and other common training facilities. Staggered training to minimize numbers and reduce contact,” the SOP stated.

The numbers at training to maintain social distancing as per norms should be managed. The Task Force shall ensure each athlete provides a signed consent form declaring their consent and knowledge of all the limitations and risks associated with training under the current scenario.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ovid-19-task-force-at-nca/article32260333.ece
 
Born: January 11, 1973 (age 49 years), Indore, India

Cannot believe how young he is!

Should have been batting for India now:)
 
This is not even a question.
Dravid is certified all time great of the game.
He is among top 5 test batsman coming from Asia.
1. Tendulkar
2. Gavaskar
3. Sangakkara
4. Dravid
5. Miandad
6. Kohli
7. Younis
8. Sehwag
9. Jayawardene
10. Yousuf
11. Laxman
 
This is not even a question.
Dravid is certified all time great of the game.
He is among top 5 test batsman coming from Asia.
1. Tendulkar
2. Gavaskar
3. Sangakkara
4. Dravid
5. Miandad
6. Kohli
7. Younis
8. Sehwag
9. Jayawardene
10. Yousuf
11. Laxman
So that is your list of top 11 test batsman coming from Asia. Nice!
I knew about top 3, top 5, top 10, etc... First time came across a top 11.
 
So that is your list of top 11 test batsman coming from Asia. Nice!
I knew about top 3, top 5, top 10, etc... First time came across a top 11.

Only Laxman was left behind so i placed him at 11. But i forget to add Inzamam. So, Inzi will take 9th spot, Jaya 10th, Yousuf 11th and Laxman 12th.
 
Only Laxman was left behind so i placed him at 11. But i forget to add Inzamam. So, Inzi will take 9th spot, Jaya 10th, Yousuf 11th and Laxman 12th.

Hanif Mohammad, Vijay Merchant and Vijay Hazare should be there.
 
Without a doubt!

Gets into an all time India XI comfortably and possibly also an all time Asia XI.
 
This is not even a question.
Dravid is certified all time great of the game.
He is among top 5 test batsman coming from Asia.
1. Tendulkar
2. Gavaskar
3. Sangakkara
4. Dravid
5. Miandad
6. Kohli
7. Younis
8. Sehwag
9. Jayawardene
10. Yousuf
11. Laxman

Younis should be above Kohli. If Kohli gets his form back and has a couple of brilliant away tours, he will overtake Younis and even possibly Miandad.

Inzamam should be above Sehwag, pushing all the rest 1 down.
Edit: Just saw your later comment.

Otherwise a very solid ranking.
 
Younis should be above Miandad too, just under Dravid. Sehwag and Kohli are practically equal as test batsmen.
 
Tendulkar
Gavasker
Dravid
Sangkara
Miadad
Younis
Kohli
Inzamam
Sehwag
Jayawardena
 
Rahul Dravd 50th birthday tribute-Best Indian test match batsmen of all time?

Rahul Dravid 50th birthday tribute- best ever subcontinent batsmen in a crisis, best Indian test batsmen ever,better match-winner than Sachin Tendulkar and best one down batsmen since Viv Richards?


On January 11th maestro Rahul Dravid turned 50.

No Indian batsmen were ever more of an embodiment of temperament or grit. Dravi was the best ambassador of sportasmanship in cricket in his day and age.It was a sheer spectacle witnessing Dravid at the crease, who looked a cocoon in concentration, like a monk meditating. or as sculptor using his chisels.

In his time no batsmen did what the doctor ordered, to the extent of Dravid. Dravid was manifestation of single-mindedess, tenacity and selfneseness in sport . One hardly has an adjective to the ice coolness and craft Dravid exhibited in adjusting to the given situation.


No batsmen looked more than farmer digging in a desert or an artisan deploying his chisels. In his best knocks Dravid resembled a surgeon performing a successful operation on a patient considered incurable.


In steering a team through a crisis Dravid was the best Indian , arguably best Asian batsmen ever and close to the best ever in the world in a crisis. To ressurect a side from the grave Dravid eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar and was arguably the best ever Asian batsmen on bad wickets. In manoeuvring or shaping an innings in accordance with the given situation, Dravid had no equal amongst Indian batsmen. In conditions when the best of batsmen could look all at sea , Dravid would come out on top with a gem. In his day apart from Steve Waugh no batsmen matched Dravid’s mental resilience.

He did not posess the flamboyance of Tendukar or Ponting,or the artistry of Lara or Laxman ,but he surpassed them all in batting for your life.


At one down he scored 10524 runs, more test runs than any batsmen, eclipsing even Ricky Ponting.No batsmen at one down equalled Dravid when the chips were down.



Whether on pitch of uneven bounce at Kingston, seaming condition so green to at Leeds, a bouncy strip at Adelaide or Johannesburg or a turning track in India, Dravid adapted himself to perfection. Scoring 180 at Kolkata in a 376 run partnership with VVS Laxman , 233 at Adelaide in 2003-04 in a 303 run partnership with Laxman ,148 at Johannesburg in 1997 148 at Leeds in 2002, 81 and 68 at Kingston in 2006, 270 at Rawalpindi in 2004,146 at Oval in 2011.were all examples of supreme craftsmanship. When scoring 148 at Headingly in 2002, technically he overshadowed Tendulkar,who scored 183.

For most of his career, Dravid was epitome of consistency In his first ten series that he played in (excluding one-off Tests), he averaged more than 40 in seven of them. His best phase, though, was the four-year period from the middle of 2002 to 2006, a period when in 16 during this period, 13 times he averaged more than 49, and nine times over 75. More importantly, he amassed those scores in in gruelling batting conditions, and in overseas Tests that led to wins abroad,. During this period, his overseas average was an exceptional 77.07.

From a period of 2003-2006 he was arguably the best batsman in the world, and a better test player than even Tendulkar or Lara. In that period he amassed 4720 runs at an average of 68.4 and scored 14 centuries. His overseas average in that period towered above 66 and half of his centuries were in winning causes. For sheer consistency in that period he traversed zones even Tendulkar or Viv Richards did not.

Dravid had phenomenal aggregate run s and average in 2003-04 in Australia scoring 619 runs at 123.80 average and in England scoring 602 runs at 100.22 average in 2002.


Few batsmen were ever even his equal in partnerships. He and VVS Laxman constituted the best middle order partners or partnerships of his era. No 2 partners ever ressurected a team from the dark woods to the pinnacle of glory, as this pair. Dravid has also been involved in more century stands than any other batsman: he finishes at 88, with two other current players about whom there has been plenty of retirement talk - Tendulkar and Ponting - on 85 each. Dravid is also the only batsman to have ten or more century stands with four others.


He did not posess the flamboyance of Tendukar or Ponting,or the artistry of Lara or Laxman ,but he surpassed them all in batting for your life.

No batsmen faced ore deliveries in test cricket, illustrating that Dravid was the ultimate boulder. In 286 Test innings, Dravid played 31,258 balls. Given that no other batsman has faced more than 29,000 deliveries, it illustrates the sheer single-mindedness or dedication that was invested scoring those 13,288 runs.

. Technically he was reminiscent of an architect or a English grammar professor with a water tight defence and mastery in leaving or negotiating the outgoing ball. In his day noone held a bat straighter. His execution of the cover drive was perfection personified. There was also a subtle element of wristwork in his batting and shades of improvisation, giving touches of Vishwanath .In ways his bating was like a medley of Gavaskar and Vishwanath. Dravid was a much more polished or cultivated version of Javed Miandad or Inzama Ul Haq when batting.

I feel no Indian batsman was ever as selfless, putting his team's cause above his personal gain. Unlike Gavaskar and Tendulkar, he was never in pursuit of records.

He had a period of loss of form from 2007-2010 but then stage a remarkable ressurection in the 2011series, championing a losing cause.



Dravid finished his test career scoring 36 centuries, 13288 runs at an average of 52.31 in 164 test matches and 286 innings. In test matches won he averaged 65.78 and scored 5131 runs. Overseas he scored 7690 runs at an average of 53.03 and 21 centuries.

In my view Dravid has been underestimated by cricket writers who fail to rank him amongst the best 50 cricketers ever like Cristopher Martin Jenkins David Gower or Geoff Armstrong.and rank him below Alan Border, Javed Miandad,Geoff Boycott or even Steve Waugh .I rate Dravid only a whisker behind Tendulkar and Gavaskar in test cricket ,on par with Alan Border or Ricky Ponting.in test cricket and possibly a better test batsmen than Javed Miandad. Cristopher Martin Jenkins places him below even David Gower which is a travesty.

Without doubt he has carved a permanent niche amongst the all-time greats. To me he is just a notch below the likes of Bradman, Sobers Viv, Lara, Tendulkar, Hobbs,Hammond, and in the bracket of a Greg Chappell ,Everton Weekes or Ricky Ponting.

At one down Dravid was only behind Bradman,Viv Richards and neck to neck with Ricky Ponting. To me Dravid ranks amongst the 25 best test batsmen ever. In a crisis he was atleast on par with Alan Border, Steve Waugh or Javed Miandad.

For a time in 2006 Dravid's average overtook that of Tendulkar and average in games won or aggregate runs in wins. Overall Dravid averages 4 runs more than Tendulkar in matches won.Tendulkar averaged 61.93 against Dravid’s 65.78.

In my view Dravid in test matches, played more innings in tune to a given situation, than even Gavaskar ,Tendulkar or Virat Kohli. In knitting the fabric of an innings or shaping the course of match he overshadowed all 3 stalwarts.

Rahul Dravid played an important role in India winning it’s first ever series in Pakistan n 2004 ,India winning its first series in West Indies for 35 years in 2006 and breaking Australia’s monopoly ot stranglehold with its unbroken run of wins in 2001 and 2003-04.

Fascinatingly in a Wisden survey conducted in 2020 ,52% of fans chose Rahul Dravid as India’s best test match batsmen ever.


Dravid's main drawback was that he was not so prolific against South Africa or Australia where overall he averaged under 45 and overseas under 40.He also lacked the 'X' factor or flamboyance in converting games to winning causes like Viv Richards ,Hammond or Ponting.Against blistering pace he was not as adept as Gavaskar, Ponting,Border or even Tendulkar. Dravid did not have equal mastery in countering the bouncing delivery like Mohinder Amarnath or Ian Chappell. I rate Tendulkar and Gavaskar or Border a whisker ahead of Dravid because of scores against best attacks of their day and because they championed causes of weak teams.Dravid shone when Indian team was at a helm, in terms of balance or strength. Pertinent that the bulk of his runs overseas and in winning causes were against England, West Indies and Zimbabwe.


Dravid also excelled in ODI cricket, being the most prolific batsmen of the 1999 cricket world cup, and scoring many a match winning cameo. Dravid is the only batsmen to have been involved in 2 300 run partnerships in ODI’s. In ODI’s he amassed 10889 runs at an average of 39. . scoring 12 centuries.


Above all he uplifted cricket as gentleman’s game and gave memories of the grace of the golden era. He hardly exhibited touches of arrogance or displayed unruly behaviour on the field, which is a routine feature today in the cricketing world.Also a very shrewd judge of the game.

Sadly as a coach he has been trapped in the quagmire of politics.
 
One of the most impactful batsman in Test cricket but Gavaskar and Tendulkar are top two in this order in my opinion.
 
Yes - he is second only to Sunil Gavaskar for India as a batsman. As a cricketer he’s 3rd behind Kapil and Gavaskar.
 
A low tier ATG. Never really impressed in conditions with bounce but was an incredible player of swing bowling. Putting him ahead of Tendulkar is silly though and overly contrarian. He was better from 2002-2007, but Tendulkar had a 24 year career ***
 
Definitely an ATG. As a batsman just behind Tendulkar, Gavaskar and Kohli from the sub-continent.
 
A low tier ATG. Never really impressed in conditions with bounce but was an incredible player of swing bowling. Putting him ahead of Tendulkar is silly though and overly contrarian. He was better from 2002-2007, but Tendulkar had a 24 year career ***
This. Well said.
 
The goat obsession deprives a lot of great role players their due respect. Rahul Dravid never had to be as good as Sachin but he still managed that for a few years and that’s incredible.

Test cricket is the pinnacle of this sport and Dravid was an absolute wall of a batsman in this format. One of the greatest ever #3.

In the end, to a cricketer lover, a player would always be remembered for the iconic performances. The man has immortalised himself forever for orchestrating the greatest ever come back in the history of test cricket. The Eden Gardens test match in 2001 vs Australia. I doubt we will ever get to see something like that again.
 
The goat obsession deprives a lot of great role players their due respect. Rahul Dravid never had to be as good as Sachin but he still managed that for a few years and that’s incredible.

Test cricket is the pinnacle of this sport and Dravid was an absolute wall of a batsman in this format. One of the greatest ever #3.

In the end, to a cricketer lover, a player would always be remembered for the iconic performances. The man has immortalised himself forever for orchestrating the greatest ever come back in the history of test cricket. The Eden Gardens test match in 2001 vs Australia. I doubt we will ever get to see something like that again.

Appreciate comment.Very well analysed.
 
A low tier ATG. Never really impressed in conditions with bounce but was an incredible player of swing bowling. Putting him ahead of Tendulkar is silly though and overly contrarian. He was better from 2002-2007, but Tendulkar had a 24 year career ***

Well expressed or evaluated. Still was not Dravid better in a crisis?
 
Not even in question. One of the greatest players of spin.
 
Legends who excelled in #3 Test batting position are Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, Hashim Amla, Ian Chappell, and Kumar Sangakkara.

Dravid is the best Indian Test batsman in history, above Tendulkar who was a tried and tested failure in the #3 batting test batting position.
 
Just randomly saw his batting clips too, was a great batter only afraid of Shoaib Akhtar and Glenn McGrath
Shoaib Akhtar called him a nightmare to bowl to, not sure where you are picking this from.

Never saw Dravid being scared of pace, he played Lee and Akhtar as good as any, infact belted Lee around in 2003.
 
If Dravid is considered a legend, then so are Miandad, Younis Khan, and Mohammad Yousuf. And let's not forget Saud Shakeel, who is a legend in the making.
 
Dravid is not at the top. Nay

there are many great players ahead of him. He was a great player though no doubts.
 
Top 10 Asian test batters :-

Tendulkar
Gavaskar
Dravid
Sangakkara
Miandad
Kohli
Younis
Sehwag
Inzamam
VVS

Dravid is at 3 due to his splendid record outside Asia and terrific performances in tough conditions.

6 Indians, 3 Pakistanis and 1 Sri Lankan in top 10.
 
Legends who excelled in #3 Test batting position are Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, Hashim Amla, Ian Chappell, and Kumar Sangakkara.

Dravid is the best Indian Test batsman in history, above Tendulkar who was a tried and tested failure in the #3 batting test batting position.
First, Sachin Tendulkar never even batted at #3 in Test cricket. How can he be a tried and tested failure when he never even batted at that spot in Test cricket? Time to shift goalposts?:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Next, the one with an average of 38 vs Australia with 2 centuries, and 33 vs South Africa with 2 centuries was a better Test batsman than the one with an average of 55 vs Australia with 11 centuries and 43 vs South Africa with 7 centuries?​

:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
Legends who excelled in #3 Test batting position are Don Bradman, Vivian Richards, Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Younis Khan, Hashim Amla, Ian Chappell, and Kumar Sangakkara.

Dravid is the best Indian Test batsman in history, above Tendulkar who was a tried and tested failure in the #3 batting test batting position.
When did Tendulkar bat at 3? 😵
 
And this guy claims he has been watching cricket for 4 decades. 🤡 🤡 :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Now wstch him shift goalposts how it takes cajones to bat at the #3 spot :ROFLMAO: 🤡
He can just check howstat.

275x at no 4
1x at opening
29x at 5
20x at 6
And 4x at 7

Not a single time at no 3 in both fc and test.
 
I also rate Travis > root
In ODI's, right? Yes, I'd rate Head ahead of Root as well in ODI cricket. ODI cricket has completely changed after the introduction of the 2 new ball rule. Ever since it has been about who can dominate attacks instead of who can score at a steady pace.​
 
In ODI's, right? Yes, I'd rate Head ahead of Root as well in ODI cricket. ODI cricket has completely changed after the introduction of the 2 new ball rule. Ever since it has been about who can dominate attacks instead of who can score at a steady pace.​
I rate all format players higher then Test only specialists.

Root > Travis in tests but that's expected. He's a test only specialist.

For me a 40 avg batter in test + odi and a 30 avg batter in t20 with a monster sr + A better who has won cups for his country is >>> a test only specialist.

It's why I rate Travis > root and Laxman.

I rate dravid, Sachin and Kohli higher then Travis though. Dravid was decent in odi for his era and kohli's peak is something that Travis hasn't matched and probably won't.

Similarly while I feel Sachin is overrated, Sachin was > Pointing in odi and > Pointing in test as a batsmen and I rate pointing > Travis.
 
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