Rahul Dravid: The Great Wall Of India

Rahul Dravid’s contribution to Indian cricket or, rather, the game, is not just confined to his record with the bat. A true philosopher, he continues to inspire as well as serve cricket on and off the field.

- Shalabh Manocha

In an international career which spanned more than 15 years (1996–2012) and 509 games, Rahul Dravid wielded the bat with class and elegance, in a style reinforced by grit and a near-copybook technique. It was a matter of time before he established his reputation as “the Wall” of the Indian team. Many believed him to be the most important member of the “Fab Five” and an “ultimate team man”; both statements are testaments to how he carried himself on and off the field, a gentleman playing the gentleman’s game. Dravid provided Indian cricket the belief in itself, especially while touring. The rest, as they say, is history, and Dravid made history on many occasions.

When Dravid came into the national side, Indians were considered mere pushovers playing overseas, purely because of their inability to adapt to foreign conditions. It was something that could only be tackled with a solid defensive technique—something that Dravid would be known for throughout his career.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Indian batting, which was largely based on wrist work, was given a new dimension by this middle-order batsman’s approach. His was an approach which was not only different in terms of batting technique, but also the mental preparation. Watching Dravid play long and match-winning innings in the middle, one could never really fathom the determination in those eyes—watching and negotiating ball after ball, bowler after bowler, in an effort to wear them out so that his more attacking teammates could score at ease.