Rahul Dravid, the perfect example of solid batting, will no longer play Test cricket. His strong mindset, controlled aggression, and amazing technique made him the second-highest run-scorer in Test history.
Throughout his career, “The Wall” stood firm against challenges and created unforgettable moments that showed his resilience and drive to succeed. He leaves behind a legacy that helped India reach great heights and achieve some memorable Test victories. Here are top 5 best knocks played by Rahul Dravid in Test cricket.
233 vs Australia at Adelaide, December 12-16, 2003
In 2003, India recreated their famous Kolkata Test win, this time in Adelaide against Australia. Ricky Ponting’s double century helped the hosts post 556. India was struggling at 85 for four and seemed out of the game.
Rahul Dravid then took charge. His classy shots and calm mindset turned the match around. He scored a brilliant 233, supported by VVS Laxman’s 148, bringing India close to Australia’s total.
Ajit Agarkar’s fiery spell bowled Australia out for 196 in the second innings. Chasing 230, Dravid stayed unbeaten with 72. Fittingly, he hit the winning runs to seal a historic victory.
180 vs Australia at Kolkata, March 11-15, 2001
In the 2001 Kolkata Test, India pulled off one of cricket’s greatest comebacks. After trailing by 274 runs in the first innings, Australia enforced the follow-on. India made a tactical change, promoting VVS Laxman to number three, while Rahul Dravid dropped to six.
At 232 for 4, with the game seemingly out of reach, Laxman and Dravid joined forces. On day four, they defied the odds, batting through the entire day. Dravid fought through cramps and dehydration, playing a supporting role to Laxman’s brilliance.
When Dravid reached his century, his rare, fiery celebration showed just how much it meant. Their partnership turned the match on its head, paving the way for an iconic Indian victory.
270 vs Pakistan at Rawalpindi, 2004
With the series tied at 1-1, both teams were ready for the final Test at Rawalpindi. The tour was historic, marking the return of cricketing ties between the two countries. India bowled out Pakistan for 224 but faced an early shock when Sehwag, in great form, was dismissed on the first ball.
Dravid, who hadn’t been in great form during the series, came in with his usual determination. He played carefully, dealing with the challenging pitch and building important partnerships with the middle order. Sometimes cautious, he picked up the pace when needed.
With 600 runs on the board, India took control and won the historic series 2-1.
148 vs England at Headingley, August 22-26, 2002
At Headingley, where the pitch offered a fair amount of seam movement and the weather remained stereotypically English, Sourav Ganguly’s decision to bat first raised some eyebrows. The more the team fell in line with Virender Sehwag, the higher the rising uncertainty of his decision. But then, Rahul Dravid surely put all those doubts to rest with a masterly display of technique.
Dravid, in company with an exceptionally patient and skillful Sanjay Bangar, faced the difficult conditions and showed just how to handle a moving ball. Stumped for just 2 runs before reaching a completely deserving total of 150, he had left an impression on Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar to drive home the advantage.
This feather-light issue fed into India’s victory by an innings, Dravid’s innings distinctly earning him the Man of the Match award.
190 and 103 vs New Zealand at Hamilton 2006
In a high-scoring match at Hamilton, Dravid was in top form, scoring 190 in the first innings to help India surpass New Zealand’s 366. The real challenge came in the second innings. India was struggling at 55 for 2, chasing a tough 415. While the game seemed headed for a draw, Dravid and Ganguly made sure there were no hiccups.
Dravid’s second innings century was even more impressive. He scored 103 runs at a strike rate of over 75, much faster than his usual pace in Tests. These knocks might not be as iconic as his ones at Headingley or Adelaide, but scoring two centuries in a single match is a huge achievement. It placed him among Indian cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Vijay Hazare.
