5 forgotten victories of India under Rahul Dravid's captaincy

Apart from being a renowned batsmen, Rahul Dravid was a brilliant captain as well. He took over as captain when the Ganguly-Chappell saga broke out. The manner in which the Karnataka player handled the scenario was remarkable as he didn’t let off-field issues affect the team’s performances.

Extra Cover: 5 forgotten victories of India under MS Dhoni's captaincy

Dravid’s record as captain isn’t an outstanding one but is very good especially in overseas conditions. Still, not many people talk about his captaincy career. He won Tests in Pakistan, England, West Indies and South Africa – feats not many Indian captains have been able to achieve. We look at some of India’s wins under Dravid’s captaincy which a lot of people don’t remember.

---

#5 1st Test vs Pakistan (Multan) – 2004

Sehwag's triple century propelled India to their first Test win on Pakistani soil

After a thrilling ODI series (which India won 3-2), India were dealt with a big blow as captain Sourav Ganguly was ruled out for the first Test due to a back injury. Rahul Dravid took over in Ganguly’s absence.

Opting to bat first, India set the tone for the match and series as they posted a mammoth 675 in their first innings. Virender Sehwag (309) became the first Indian to hit a triple century in Test cricket. Sachin Tendulkar also batted brilliantly to score his 33rd Test ton but Dravid surprisingly declared the innings when the Mumbaikar was batting on 194.

On a placid track, Indian bowlers bowled with a lot of heart and showed great patience to bundle out Pakistan for 407. With a lead of 267, the visitors decided to enforce a follow-on on the fourth day.

Once again the Pakistani batsmen were put under pressure by some excellent bowling. In the second essay (following on), even Yousuf Youhana’s fighting 112 wasn’t enough as Pakistan were bowled out for 216. Kumble ran through the hosts’ middle order to finish with figures of 6/72 (his 24th five-wicket haul) and helped India get their first Test win on Pakistani soil.

Brief Scores: India 675 for 5 dec (Sehwag 309, Tendulkar 194*, Yuvraj 59, Sami 2/110) beat Pakistan 407 (Hameed 91, Inzamam 77, Pathan 4-100, Tendulkar 2/36) and 216 (Youhana 112, Kumble 6-72, Pathan 2/26) by an innings and 52 runs

#4 4th Test vs West Indies (2006) – Kingston

India rejoice after winning the series in West Indies after 35 years

After losing the one-day series and drawing the first three Tests, India weren’t having the best of times in the West Indies. But going into the fourth Test, India still had the opportunity to win a Test series in the Caribbean after 35 years.

India opted to bat first on a juicy pitch. A decision which backfired as they were skittled out for 200. Jerome Taylor took a splendid five-wicket haul by breaching the defences of the Indian batters. Skipper Dravid stood tall with a fine 81 to help India get to a score of 200.

However, the bowlers helped India get back in the match by putting up a spirited show to skittle out the Windies for a mere 103. India consequently eked out a lead of 97. Harbhajan was the star with the ball as he took 5/13 in 4.3 overs.

Barring Rahul Dravid who scored 68, the Indian batsmen failed again in the second innings. However, they set the hosts with a target of 269 which proved to be enough in the end. India completed a 49-run win. Kumble picked up his 33rd five-wicket haul to help India end a 35-year drought in West Indies.

Brief Scores: India 200 (Dravid 81, Kumble 45, Taylor 5-50, Collymore 2/17) and 171 (Dravid 68, Collymore 5-48, Taylor 4/45) beat West Indies103 (Harbhajan 5-13) and 219 (Ramdin 62*, Sarwan 51, Kumble 6-78, Sreesanth 3/38)

#3 1st Test vs South Africa (Johannesburg) – 2006

Sreesanth dances after belting Andre Nel for a six in the second innings

In nine attempts, India had never won a Test match in South Africa. But in 2006, when India toured the African nation, things turned drastically.

In the first Test, India were to face a stern test with some quality fast bowling. Batting first, the visitors were rocked and exposed with some superb bowling as they were bowled out for 249 (Ganguly top-scored with an unbeaten 51). Pollock and Ntini shared 7 wickets between them to put India on the back foot.

India’s bowling line-up looked good but they needed to deliver. And they did just that. A fiery spell from Sreesanth helped the visitors dismiss the Proteas for a mere 84 and consequently gain control of the Test match.

On the back of Laxman’s sublime 73 under pressure, India scored 236 to set South Africa a target of 402. The Proteas batsmen did show better fight but they crumbled under pressure as Kumble, Sreesanth and Zaheer shared 3 wickets each to help India win their maiden Test on South African soil.

Brief Scores: India 249 (Ganguly 51*, Pollock 4-39, Ntini 3/57) and 236 (Laxman 73, Pollock 3/33, Nel 3/58) beat South Africa 84 (Sreesanth 5-40, Kumble 2/2) and 278 (Prince 97, Kumble 3/54, Sreesanth 3/59, Zaheer 3/59, 3/79)

#2 6th ODI vs England (The Oval) – 2007

Uthappa's brilliant knock helped India register a thrilling victory

After a memorable Test series win, India were trailing 3-2 in the 7-match ODI series. England were looking to clinch the series with a game to spare and were also on the right track as they posted 316/6 in their 50 overs which seemed difficult at one stage.

At 83/4, England looked in trouble. But fifties from Kevin Pietersen 53() and Luke Wright (50) along with a brilliant century from Owais Shah (107) as well as Dmitri Mascarenhas' brutal cameo helped England score over 300.

Chasing a big total of 317, India got off to a strong start as both openers Ganguly (53) and Tendulkar (94) scored at a good rate and added 150 runs for the first wicket. But wickets at regular intervals kept England in the game. However, crucial knocks from Dhoni (35) and Uthappa (47*) enabled India to emerge victorious in a last-over thriller and level the series 3-3.

Brief Scores: England 316 for 6 (Shah 107*, Pietersen 53, Wright 50, Chawla 1/44, Zaheer 1/43) lost to India 317 for 8 (Tendulkar 94, Ganguly 53, Uthappa 47*, Broad 2/46, Mascarenhas 2/55)

#1 2nd Test vs England (Trent Bridge) – 2007

India registered a memorable Test series victory in England during the summer of 2007

Under Dravid, India were doing really well overseas as they won Tests in tough places like Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa. So, there was a sense of optimism when India toured England.

After escaping with a draw in the first Test, India came up with a strong performance in the second Test at Trent Bridge. In overcast conditions, skipper Dravid won the toss and opted to bowl first. And his bowlers justified his decision by bowling the hosts out for 198. Zaheer Khan starred with the ball as he picked up 4/59 to rattle the English batsmen with great accuracy and swing.

In reply, India continued their domination as five out of the top six scored half-centuries. The visitors gained a big lead of 283 as they posted 481 in their first innings.

England needed to bat out of their skins to save this game but a feisty spell from Zaheer ensured India had to chase down only 73 after the hosts were dismissed for 355. India knocked off the target with ease and the win helped them go 1-0 in the series. They would eventually go on to win the series after the third Test ended in a draw.

Brief Scores: England 198 (Cook 43, Zaheer 4/59, Kumble 3/32) and 355 (Vaughan 124, Collingwood 63, Strauss 55, Zaheer 5-75, Kumble 3/104) lost to India 481 (Tendulkar 91, Ganguly 79, Karthik 77, Jaffer 62, Laxman 54, Panesar 4/101) and 73 for 3 (Karthik 22, Jaffer 22, Tremlett 3/12)