Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Rahul Dravid:India's best test cricketer


Holding Willey presented a report and rated India's top 20 test cricketers of all time.This illustrious list included some of the greatest names in Indian Cricket.It rated Rahul Dravid as India's all time best.It would be unfair if I say Dravid is better than Gavaskar or some other players which I haven't seen play.But I most definitely think,he is the best test cricketer in the last decade.The wall,as he is called by many,is probably India's most selfless cricketer.He has served the nation to his highest ability every time he has set foot on a cricket field.Many who know Dravid personally,believe he is among the greatest cricketing minds' India has ever produced.Even though,he wasn't doing badly,Dravid himself stepped down from the post of Captain.He played every test that India played from his debut till his 94th test,when he fell sick before the test.This shows his consistency and fitness over such a long period.Shane Warne rated Dravid as among the most difficult batsmen to bowl to,not because he hits back hard,but because he grinds the bowling attack till they get tired and have nothing more to offer.
People remember Saurav Ganguly as India's most successful Captain in Tests,however,they do not know,Rahul Dravid averaged 105 in the test matches that India won under Ganguly.He was the guiding light of the team in various victories abroad like the ones in Adelaide,Headingly,Rawalpindi,Leeds among others.Dravid strike rate isn't the highest,which is among the main reason he isn't India's most iconic player.I felt sad to see him booted out the ODI team for obsession towards young talent.But,his greatness is known to all cricket fans.His determination,temperament,technique and patience to deal with various different tracks around the world has made him India's 'Goto man' every time.
As a captain,he won test series in England and West Indies,which even Saurav Ganguly couldn't do.In West Indies,he alone batted for a longer time in both innings of the last Test than the whole West Indies side.It was the crucial test that India won and hence went on to win the series 1-0.It was one of the worst pitches to bat on,but Dravid did not complain.He fought with the tail as most indian batsmen struggled,and made 81 and 68.India won a test series in the carribean after more than 40 years.He is also the only batsmen to average better overseas.His 148 in Leeds on green top wicket is just another brick in the wall for the legend.This is my salute to the legend for he has done for the nation and all the entertainment he has provided.Hats off!!

18 comments:

  1. Great!! Excellent ........keep writing

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  2. Thank you so much Krishna...great to see someone appreciating my posts.

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  3. Very very true.............he is the reason i watch cricket for
    Very well written

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  4. Thank You Sri,he is my idol too.
    Great guy,player and true legend.

    Mayank Jhaveri

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  5. What you say is like saying 'sun rises in the east'. Very true and universally unquestionable.

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  6. Beatiful article.. Dravid the best....

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  7. yessss Dravid is always the best ever player india had... He's my god too.. i love him alot

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  8. great article, dravid is the legend "The Great WALL" of Indian cricket

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  9. may not b the gr8 but still the true man do define cricket textbookly correct...

    good written to master of legends

    very good article

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  10. i want dravid to be in 2011 WC team

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  11. nice post freehit. while i've had some disagreements with holdingwilley's assessment of the top 20, there is no doubting that dravid's one of the best india has ever produced, both in terms of talent and personality. Also liked the fact that you didn't feel the need to tear down any other player to make your point.

    Cheers!

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  12. Hey Anoop,

    Thank you firstly.I know you are a big Sachin fan,so I would suggest you check out my Dravid-Tendulkar comparison and let me know what you feel.

    Cheers,
    Mayank :)

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  13. Very well said bro. He is the GREATEST player who never has been selfish and always played for the country. He has never boasted himself.. Even if he would have, it would be a lot lesser than he actually is. I watched his Début test against England when I was only 6-7, but from that test he has been on the TOP on my list till now. I have never seen a player who is even closer to him in my life so far. He is too humble as well.I can remember in 92-93 when we went to South Africa, he was the only one who used to stand in front of Donald and Pollock with his unmatchable DEFENSIVE SKILLS.

    CHEERS
    Saumil:)

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  14. Rahul a real team player who never play a selfish game even when he is in 99* runs.Every Indian players should learn a defensive skill from Rahul Dravid.

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  15. Very good to read about Dravid,in this day of instant fame and slam bang,happy to see true worth appreciated

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  16. Welcome to the blog and thank you for all the wonderful comments.

    Keep visiting.
    Cheers, :)

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  17. Rahul Dravid-the man with principles,ettiquites, honest & humble..a great man,thanks for the article..

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