#2 Rahul Dravid’s 180 in the historic 2001 Test against the Aussies – March 2001
While most remember the Kolkata Test match for VVS Laxman’s 281 and Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick with the ball, Rahul Dravid’s contribution to the victory is, most often than not, overlooked which is not something new for The Wall of Indian cricket.
He was dropped to number 6 in the batting order and was under severe criticism for failing against the Australians. He was dehydrated, he was cramping. But he did not stop. He never does. That’s Rahul Dravid for you. He embodies hard work, he personifies the effort in order for one to achieve greatness. And he went on and did just that at the Eden Gardens, scoring a vital 180 as he put on a record 376-run stand for the fifth wicket alongside VVS Laxman.
His celebration on reaching his century told you the entire story. Never one to show his emotions, Dravid jumped in the air, both hands aloft, just giving us a glimpse of what this innings meant to him on a personal level, and for the team.
This innings summed up his entire cricketing career, which holds true for every cricketer, every person in any field, that, nothing comes easy in life, but when it does, it leaves with you a feeling of deepest satisfaction for it was the fruition of your toil and determination to excel.
