5 greatest Test innings by Rahul Dravid 

Hardly anyone would disagree that Rahul Dravid is among the five greatest Indian batsmen of all time. But when it comes to technique and defensive prowess, he was peerless. For those who grew up watching The Wall in action, he was the nearest anyone came to embodying perfection. Both on and off the field, Rahul Sharad Dravid was the perfect gentleman and role model.

Today is his 47th birthday and wishes are pouring in from his former teammates and fans. While many waste their time comparing him to Sachin Tendulkar and debating who is better – an utterly fruitless and disrespectful exercise – most intelligent fans reminisce of his playing days.

In a tribute to this great man and legend of the game, here we look back at five of the greatest innings that Rahul Dravid played in his Test career. Though he has a great record in ODIs also, it was in Test matches where his greatness fully bloomed into view. So, here are then, in ascending order, the 5 best Test knocks by the great wall of Indian cricket.

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Rahul Dravid set up India's famous win at Perth in 2008

#5. 93 vs Australia, Perth, 2008

This match was played after the ill-tempered and controversial Sydney Test of 2008. The Indian team was already 2-0 down in the series and the action moved to the one ground that was considered least suited to the Indian team – the legendary WACA in Perth.

Known for being the fastest and bounciest pitch in the world, the track at this venue was supposed to be perfect for a bowling attack consisting of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, and Stuart Clarke. In a brave decision, captain Anil Kumble decided to bat first.

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The four-pronged pace attack of the Australian team managed to get the openers out cheaply but then ran into - The Wall. He scored 93 and formed a 139-run 3rd wicket partnership with Sachin Tendulkar.

This innings helped India to post a respectable score of 330 in the first innings which set up a memorable win for the Indian side – their first and only one at this venue. It was a win that wasn’t just memorable because of the conditions it came in but also because of the circumstances surrounding the game. And it wouldn’t have been possible without Dravid standing between India and Australia’s fiery pace battery.

Rahul Dravid's maiden Test hundred came in South Africa in 1997

#4. 148 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 1997

1990s was a decade in Indian cricket were overseas victories were non-existent. But on one occasion, the Indian team came tantalizingly close to earning a win outside Asia, only to be denied by weather. It was during the third and final Test in a 3-match series between India and South Africa.

India had lost the first two Tests and hence the series. The legendary duo of Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock were at their best at the time. Rahul Dravid was still at the beginning of his Test career and had debuted a few months back in England.

It was in this match that he proved his worth by scoring a brilliant century in India’s first innings. Yes, the pitch wasn’t as hostile as the ones used in previous matches, still to take on the Donald-Pollock duo and score runs on their turf was a big achievement.

Dravid followed up this innings with an 81 in the second innings as well. But it was his knock of 148 that put India in a great position. Apart from him and Sourav Ganguly, no other player even managed a half-century in India’s first innings. This was a testament to the quality of Rahul Dravid.

Rahul Dravid played an amazing innings in the famous 2001 Test at Eden Gardens

#3. 180 vs Australia, Kolkata, 2001

This innings may be ranked no. 3 in this list but it was part of a partnership that has to be the greatest ever by two batsmen in the annals of Indian cricket history. In fact, the famous 376-run 5th wicket stand between Dravid and VVS Laxman, when India were following on and 4-down with 42 runs still required to avoid innings defeat, is perhaps one of the greatest partnerships in entire cricket's history.

It was VVS Laxman who became a legend through his majestic innings of 281 that is considered among the greatest Test innings of all time. But Dravid’s contribution should never be forgotten. His 180 also paved the way for India to go from a position of hopelessness to dictating terms.

The Wall too had to face the challenge of an Australian bowling attack which consisted of two of the greatest bowlers of all time – Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. The support bowlers such as Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie weren’t bad either.

Too soak up the pressure and bat India out of trouble against a great bowling attack, against the greatest spinner of all time on a wearing wicket, and help his batting partner script a masterpiece was a monumental effort from Dravid.

On India's tour of England in 2002, Rahul Dravid played a key role in India's win at Headingley

#2. 148 vs England, Headingley, 2002

So, it’s England. The weather is overcast, the pitch is lush green, perfect conditions to bowl in. But, what does the Indian captain Sourav Ganguly do after winning the toss? He decides to bat first. Everybody thinks he has made a suicidal move for his team.

India loses Virender Sehwag, the centurion from the last game early on, in the seventh over. Things aren’t looking good. But Dravid rises to the occasion and prevents any more dents from being made in the Indian team’s batting line-up.

He shares a pivotal 2nd wicket partnership worth 170 runs with Sanjay Bangar that completely nullifies the threat with the new ball. It also protects Indian batting’s other mainstays – Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly – from being exposed to the new ball in helpful conditions. Both go on to make a hundred when they bat.

This was as big a test of technique and fortitude that a batsman can face and not surprisingly, it was Dravid who stood up for his country and team and built a great platform to set up a memorable win for India. Now you know why he is the great wall of India.

India's famous win in Adelaide in 2003 was mainly due to Rahul Dravid's efforts

#1. 233 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2003

At Eden Gardens in 2001, it was VVS Laxman who played the leading role in that legendary partnership that turned India’s fortunes. In this match, the roles got reversed. Dravid took the lead and Laxman played the perfect supporting actor as the two batsmen again rescued India from a tricky situation, again versus Australia.

The Indian team had conceded a score of 556 in the first innings of the match. They were looking in doldrums at 85/4. What came then was another unforgettable partnership of 303 runs which stunned Aussies and frustrated their ambitions a second time.

Dravid’s 233 was just sublime. The fact that he got to a hundred by hooking the ball for a six shows that he wasn’t just playing in his usual defensive style but expanding his range of strokes too in order to counter attack the Aussies.

Dravid was the last man out and, by then, he had taken his team to just 33 runs short of Australia’s first-innings total – something that has seemed impossible at the time India lost its fourth wicket. Yes, Australia didn't have their first choice bowlers but still, they were a mighty, all-conquering team and these two knew how to deal with the big names.

It was simply a sublime innings and the fact that India eventually won the match, Dravid scoring 72 not out in the second dig also, shows what a knock it was.