BBC SPORT | Cricket | Dravid reaches new peak

Only in a team bristling with batting talent could a player of the ability of Rahul Dravid fail to stand out.

A Test average that has remained consistently above 50 is the mark of a man who provides the backbone to India's line-up.

Dravid puts India in driving seat

But, in a country where style is rated at least as the equal of substance, Dravid must normally be content with a supporting role.

Even in one of his finest hours, an innings of 180 which helped India to a famous victory Australia in Calcutta, he was overshadowed by VVS Laxman's 281 at the other end.

The last few weeks, however, have seen Dravid assert his right to be ranked as one of India's finest ever Test batsmen.

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Known as The Wall, he made scores of 115 and 148 as India fought back from losing the opening Test in England to square the series.

This is my best run in test cricket and I hope it carries on

Rahul Dravid

The final match took place at The Oval and the stage was set for Sachin Tendulkar, rated by most as the modern game's pre-eminent batsman, to mark his 100th Test in suitable style.

Prolific scoring

It was not to be for Tendulkar, but Dravid took his chance to seize the day with a magnificent 217, the highest score of his Test career.

Dravid's form stayed with him on his return home and on day two of the first Test against West Indies in Bombay, he achieved a feat which not even Tendulkar can match.

His innings of 100 made him only the fourth batsman in history - and the first Indian - to score a century in four successive Test innings.

It also made him only the second Indian after Sunil Gavaskar to make a century in four successive Test matches.

Dravid is helped from the field
Dravid's distress was obvious after his innings

Dravid did not do so without cost, hobbling the two needed to reach three figures as stamina-sapping conditions took their toll and he had to be put on an intravenous drip after being helped back to the dressing room..

"I was feeling a little dehydrated at tea and, after I started cramping, it became very difficult to continue.

"I don't think I could have completed that second run if it wasn't for Parthiv (Patel). He really urged me on," he said.

Moving up

Although he was unable to continue, there was understandable pride, albeit tempered with modesty, at his achievement.

"It's a slow wicket, the ball doesn't come on to the bat and you need a patient game. The heat doesn't help either."

"It was a lot of hard work for me as compared to someone like Virender Sehwag who just likes to blaze away."

Already sixth in India's list of highest scorers in Test cricket with more than 5,400 to his credit in 65 games, he still has plenty of time to climb even higher up the ladder.

Dravid collects his award
India's Man of the Series against England

Gundappa Viswanath (6,080), Mohammad Azharuddin (6,215) and Dilip Vengsarkar (6,919) are the three names above him and Dravid can expect to surpass them all, fitness permitting.

A consummate team player, Dravid, like England's Alec Stewart, has been willing to fill whatever role has been asked of him.

And it is that adapatability which has stood him in good stead in Test cricket with eight of his 15 Test centuries coming on foreign soil.

He has also made hundreds against seven different teams and only needs three figure scores against Pakistan and Bangladesh to complete a full set.

Dravid is one Wall which has been built to last.


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