NEW DELHI: From facing the most balls in Test cricket to being the fourth-highest run-scorer in the history of the format, India batting great Rahul Dravid holds numerous records under his belt.
Often referred to as “The Wall” of Indian cricket, Dravid was known for his exceptional technique, concentration, and ability to anchor the innings during his playing days.
Dravid retired from international cricket in 2012 after amassing 13288 runs from 270 Tests that came at an average of 52.31.
Dravid’s tally of 36 Test hundreds is second only to Sachin Tendulkar (51) when it comes to number of hundreds by an Indian batsman.
But Dravid became the first batsman to score Test centuries in all ten Test-playing nations, a feat he achieved in the second Test of the India-Bangladesh series in 2004 at Chattogram.
Then opener Gautam Gambhir, who succeeded Dravid as Team India head coach, struck his first Test ton, as Dravid hit his 18th Test hundred. Dravid reached his 50 in 95 balls and 100 in 196 balls.
The 259-run stand between Dravid (160) and Gambhir (139) was India’s highest second-wicket partnership abroad. Gambhir brought up his 50 off 60 balls, and scored his next 50 off 71 deliveries. His quick innings allowed Dravid the time to bat himself in.
Then India captain Sourav Ganguly too contributed with 88 as India piled up 540 runs.
Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Ashraful hit a superb, unbeaten 158, but could not save his team either from a follow-on or from an innings defeat.
Irfan Pathan registered his third five-wicket haul of the series in the Bangladesh second innings, wrapping up the match by an innings and 83 runs and the series on Day 4 of the Test.
India and Bangladesh are set to play the first Test of a two-match series in Chennai from September 19.