 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Vote: Rahul Dravid's BEST Test knock
Rahul Dravid played the last competitive game of his celebrated career when he led Rajasthan Royals in the final of the Champions League Twenty20 against Mumbai Indians at the Feroz Shah Kotla, on Sunday.
He ended up on the losing side as Mumbai Indians won by 33 runs. The veteran batsman ended his T20 career having scored around 2,500 runs in over 100 matches (IPL and CLT20).
In fact, in T20s he played just one international, against England at Manchester in 2011, and scored 31 off 21 balls.
But T20 and the 50-overs' format was not his cup of tea. It was in the longest format of the game that he made the biggest impact.
In a 16-year career and 164 matches, it was not surprising that he earned the tag 'The Wall' for his resilience. Besides, he had the ability to come good and score runs aplenty, as the statistics suggest -- 13288 from 164 Tests, which include 36 hundreds.
Having signed off from all forms of cricket, we take a look at some of his best Test knocks.
Take the poll and indicate which knock you feel was his best.
Vote: Rahul Dravid's BEST Test knock
148 vs South Africa 1997
It was Rahul Dravid's maiden Test century. And a special one at that.
After making a mark at Lord's (on debut), when he missed out on a ton by just five runs, it took him a little more than a year to score his first ton.
The Wanderers in Johannesburg was the perfect stage. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin and company were struggling against a hostile home attack, featuring the likes of Allan Donald, Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock.
It took a patient hundred from Dravid, coupled with an equally vital 81 in the second innings, to ensure India a draw from a precarious position.
Take the poll and indicate Rahul Dravid's best Test knock!
Vote: Rahul Dravid's BEST Test knock
180 vs Australia 2001
Perhaps, the greatest knock of his career.
With India down in the dumps after being made to follow-on, Dravid joined hands with VVS Laxman to scored an unforgettable knock.
India were 274 runs in arrears when Australian skipper Steve Waugh decided to enforce the follow-on.
Dravid was struggling on that tour and shunted down to number six, and Laxman promoted up the order. He battled cramps and dehydration while playing the support role in a 376-run stand for the fifth wicket with Laxman.
India put up 657-7 and then dismissed the Aussies for 212 to pull off an unbelievable victory, by 171 runs!
Take the poll and indicate Rahul Dravid's best Test knock.
Vote: Rahul Dravid's BEST Test knock
148 vs England 2002
This was one of the most challenging of knocks he scored.
After Sourav Ganguly won the toss and elected to bat on a seaming track at Headingley, Virender Sehwag was packed off cheaply.
It was left to Dravid to perform the rescue act.
Sanjay Bangar gave him adequate support as India won the Test by an innings.
Take the poll and indicate Rahul Dravid's best Test knock.
Vote: Rahul Dravid's BEST Test knock
233 vs Australia 2003
Australia it was again, two years later in their own backyard.
The Aussies, riding on a Ricky Ponting double (242) put up 556 before reducing India to 85 for 4.
This time it was Laxman who played second fiddle, walking in at No. 5, as the duo put on another memorable partnership to crash on Australia's party.
India won by four wickets and levelled the series.
Dravid's brilliant 233 was the turning point of the match and series.
Take the poll and indicate Rahul Dravid's best Test knock.
Vote: Rahul Dravid's BEST Test knock
270 vs Pakistan 2004
This is one of those knocks an Indian fan will enjoy the most.
With the series locked 1-1, both teams came to Rawalpindi for the decider.
India dismissed the hosts for 224, but lost Virender Sehwag to the first ball of the innings.
Dravid had not done much in the series. As always, he started off slowly, but soon got into the groove, scoring what eventually turned out to be a Test best.
The visitors put on 600 on the board and then Kumble ran through Pakistan's lower order to hand India a historic series win.