An immaculate cricketer, has set many records in the business, popularly known as the great wall of India, a cricketer with second best average and most number of catches in test cricket and here I am to select his 5 innings that have been a driving force for India to go at roaring heights against every opponent.
1) 270 against Pakistan in 3rd Test at Rawalpindi in 2003-04:
India-Pakistan test series evenly poised at 1-1 before the final test was to be played at Rawalpindi. India scored a mammoth 600 in first inning in reply to Pakistan’s first inning total of 224. Dravid hit 270 runs with 34 boundaries and 1 six and was out helping India scoring fast before the declaration. India won the match, Dravid was declared the “Man of the match” and something has been written in golden words in the history book of Cricket.
2) 233 against AUS in 2nd Test at Adelaide in 2003-04:
No team in the world can think of loosing a test match after scoring 556 in first inning, Australia had done the same. But India did not look back and scored 523 in reply of Australia’s first inning with the help of Dravid and Laxman. Dravid was again rock solid in his 233 with 23 fours and one six. Australia collapsed in their second inning to 196 and Dravid once again stood rock solid to get India clinch the match. He was declared the “Man of the match” and not to forget he was also the “Man of the series”.
3) 180 against AUS (2nd Test) at Kolkata in 2000-01:
It was the most interesting rollercoaster match I have ever seen ever. Already down in the series by 0-1, India was bowled out for 171 in Australia’s first inning total of 445. Playing in the second inning India were 232/4 and a historic partnership was about to be built. Laxman and Dravid shared a partnership of 376 runs for the 5th wicket and helped India amass 657 runs in their second inning. Rest was up to the spinners and Harbhajan led from the front with 6 wickets. This test match is known for Laxman’s 281 but Dravid has been a silent performer with 20 boundaries.
4) 190 against NZ (3rd Test) at Hemilton in 1998-99:
Dravid has always been a saving grace for India, this time in Newzealand. India were 211/7 in reply to NZ’s first inning total of 366. Dravid helped India reach 416 with his superb batting and scored an unbeaten century in the second inning too. Although the match was drawn, Dravid was adjudged “Man of the match”.
5) 148 against ENG (3rd Test) at Leeds in 2002:
Another historic win against England and the venue was Headingley. India amassed a first inning total of 628 with Dravid scoring 148, Sachin 193 and Ganguly 128. England could not recover after the first inning collapse and India won the test match by an inning and 46 runs. Dravid’s batting was so flawless, so immaculate in this match that he was declared “Man of the match” despite Sachin having scored 45 more runs than him.
What do you think, which inning(s) can further be added to this list …. comments most welcome …….