Rahul Dravid turns 34 today. Let us wish him a HAPPY & SUCCESSFUL year. I believe this birthday will bring his team the world cup trophy and test series victory in England (May 2007) and Australia (Dec 2007).
Previous year had been a mixed bag for him. One-day series victories against Pakistan and England and the test series victory after 35 years in Caribbean Islands were the high points of his captaincy last year. Not to forget the first test win ever in South Africa. Losing test series to Pakistan, drawing test series against England after leading 1-0, losing one-day series in Caribbean Islands, drubbing at Champions trophy in home, severe drubbing in South Africa in both versions of the game were the low points of his captaincy last year.
On personal front, he started the year with near world-record opening partnership with Shewag against Pakistan. He single handedly won the test match for India against West Indies at Jamaica resulting in series win after 35 years. But finger injury, poor form and unlucky umpiring decisions resulted in dry run in the test series against South Africa.
In early part of his career he was described as unfit for one-dayers. He was accused of playing slowly and not rotating the strike. He was even dropped from one-day side briefly. Then he came with a bang. He played magnificently against Kiwis in one-dayers (1998-99). He was the leading run-scorer in 1999 world cup. With Yuvraj and Kaif he had played many match winning innings in one-dayers. One surprising fact is that he is our best finisher in our side. There are many examples to prove this fact. He adapted himself well in this format.
Dravid will always be remembered for his contributions in overseas test wins.
1. His 75 against Srilanka at Kandy in 2001 chasing 260 odd in fourth innings along with Ganguly. (India lost the series 1-2)
2. His 148 against England at Leeds in 2002 in seaming conditions. (India drew the series 1-1)
3. His epic 233 against Australia at Adelaide in 2003. He again top-scored with unbeaten 70 odd in second innings chasing target of 230 odd. (India drew the series 1-1)
4. His epic innings of 270 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. (India wins the series 2-1)
5. His 80 odd in first innings and 60 odd in second innings in a low scoring match against West Indies at Jamaica in 2006. (India wins the series 1-0)
One cannot forget his partnership with VVS Laxman at Kolkatta against Australia in 2001.India registered her first test victory in both Pakistan and South Africa under his captaincy. Indian test victories are always proportional to his batting performances. In my view he is the best test batsman India has ever produced ahead of Gavaskar and Sachin. Among the current batsmen in test cricket he is arguably the best batsman after Brain Lara.
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