Rahul Dravid: An Underrated, Less Credited Captain Of Indian Cricket

Dravid was not someone to linger around with a job when he knew that someone could do it better than him and that’s why he stepped down. Named as the successor to Ganguly in October 2005, Dravid’s tenure as India captain is hardly even remembered...

- Abhishek Singh

Rahul Dravid’s resignation from the post of India’s full-time captain was as dramatic as was his selection. In September 2007, When then, chairman of the selection committee, Dilip Vengsarkar was asked to comment on Dravid’ resignation as Team India captain from both Tests and ODIs, he was shocked, as he had no information about Dravid’s decision because The Wall had directly conveyed it to then BCCI President, Sharad Pawar.

Dravid was not someone to linger around with a job when he knew that someone could do it better than him and that’s why he stepped down. Named as the successor to Ganguly in October 2005, Dravid’s tenure as India captain is hardly even remembered, although it was full of eventful tours, creation of new records, and establishment of new heroes in the Indian cricket.

Just like he himself, during his playing days, remained under-rated, his captaincy to date is only remembered as a ploy of then-coach, Greg Chappell to bring down Sourav Ganguly. However, there is more to it.

DEVELOPING INDIA AS A CHASING UNIT

India always faltered in chases in big games. The idea before Dravid’s captaincy was to make sure that India scores big runs and then defend it. However, it took a courageous and somewhat overpowering Greg Chappell and a risk-taking Rahul Dravid to make sure that India focuses on chasing down targets, especially in Day/ Night encounters.

The idea clicked so much that under Dravid’s ODI captaincy, India became a force in successful ODI chases - winning 27 in chases, of which 14 were consecutive wins. Under Dravid’s captaincy, India’s record in chasing totals was 27-14.

NURTURING THE MATCH FINISHERS