10 facts about Mr.Dependable – Rahul Dravid

Nicknames:

Dravid’s father worked in a Jam factory which earned him the nickname ‘Jammy’. He is also called as ‘The Wall’ and ‘Mr. Dependable’.

An impressive Test debut:

He made his Test debut at Lords in 1996 against England. Coming in at number 7, Dravid scored 95 runs and missed a historic ton by just 5 runs. Sourav Ganguly also made his debut in the same match and scored a century.

Maiden Test ton:

He was promoted to the number three slot during India’s tour to South Africa. He almost singlehandedly won the Test for India with scores of 148 and 81 runs in the two innings but the thunderstorms at Wanderers enabled South Africa to ensure a draw. It was Dravid’s maiden Test ton.

County stint – War against Warne:

Dravid joined Kent for the County Championships in 2000. In a match between Kent and Hampshire, eyes were on the personal battle between Warne and Dravid. On a dustbowl, tailor made to suit home team spinners, Warne took 4 wickets but could not take the all-important wicket of Rahul Dravid. Coming in to bat at 15/2, he faced 295 balls scoring 137 runs. He followed it up with another 50 in the second innings and Warne went wicketless.

Historic win at the Eden Gardens:

During Australia’s tour of India in 2000-01, in the Kolkata Test, India emerged victorious from nowhere after following on. India bundled out for 171 in reply to Australia’s 445. Following on, it was a remarkable 375 runs stand between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid that took India to 657/7. Australia were dismissed for 212 and India won the match by 171 runs. Dravid had scored 180 runs in the 2nd innings of the match.

Four consecutive Test tons:

Rahul holds the distinction of being the only Indian to score centuries in four consecutive Test match innings when he scored 100* against West Indies at Mumbai. His previous three hundreds 115, 148 and 217 came during India’s tour of England in 2002.

3 Double tons in a season:

In 2003–2004 season, he scored three double centuries: one each against New Zealand (222), Australia (233) and Pakistan (270).

Historic Adelaide win:

India won a historic Test against Australia in 2003. Dravid was the protagonist of the match for India. He scored 233 in the first innings and then followed it up with an unbeaten 72 in the second innings to see India home and win a historic battle.

Gentleman gesture:

After India were knocked out by Bangladesh in the World Cup in 2007, Dravid was graceful in accepting the defeat. He gifted two of his bats to the heroes of that match Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Rahul Dravid – A Scotland player:

Not many would know but Dravid has played 11 matches for Scotland in 2003. He joined Scotland as an overseas player for the National Cricket League in England and made his debut against Hampshire. He scored a majestic 120* against Somerset and 129* against Nottinghamshire, both in losing cause. He ended being the top scorer for Scotland with 600 runs in 11 matches at an average of 66.66 with 3 centuries and 2 fifties.

Controversial declaration in Multan:

In 2004, Dravid was the stand-in captain as Ganguly was injured. In the match against Pakistan at Multan, he declared the Indian innings when Sachin was batting on 194 leaving him stranded 6 runs short of a deserved double ton. This remains to be one of the most debated decisions in his captaincy tenure.

Century in each Test playing nation:

He is the only batsman to have scored a century in all the Test-playing nations. Dravid has the highest aggregate for India in overseas victories – 1,354 runs from 22 innings at an average of 71.26.

A true gentleman and a humble human being:

Dravid, even during his playing days, used to pick up his children from school. His wife says that he could manage with just two pairs of clothes on any tour. When a young Rahul Dravid fan, suffering from Cancer, expressed his desire to speak to him; Rahul made sure his wish was fulfilled. He Skype’d with him for almost an hour.