Rahul Dravid Birthday: One of India’s most respected cricketers, Rahul Dravid, celebrates his birthday on January 11. Born in Indore in 1973, Dravid remains a symbol of resilience, discipline and quiet
excellence in Indian cricket.
Nicknamed ‘The Wall’ for his rock-solid defensive technique, Dravid represented India in 164 Tests, scoring 13,288 runs with 36 centuries, and played a defining role in India’s rise as a competitive overseas team.
Initially viewed as better suited to red-ball cricket, Dravid reinvented himself in ODIs, finishing with 10,889 runs in 344 matches. He also played one T20I in 2011, memorably striking three consecutive sixes off Samit Patel.
Beyond his playing career, Dravid’s impact deepened as a mentor. His work with India A and U19 teams laid the foundation for future stars, before he guided the senior men’s team to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and victory in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup as head coach.
Top 10 Memorable Innings By Rahul Dravid
95 vs England, 1996
After grinding thousands of runs for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy, Dravid celebrated his Test debut for India at Lord’s with the most beautiful and technically precise innings of 95.
148 vs South Africa, 1997
He got his maiden Test hundred on the difficult tour of South Africa in January 1997, scoring a delightful 148 in Johannesburg. Dravid backed it up with a terrific 81 in the second innings, setting up what should’ve been a landmark overseas win for India before rain played spoilsport.
180 vs Australia, 2001
Dravid overcame a patch of poor form to produce one of his finest knocks, an innings of 180 in an epic partnership with VVS Laxman that helped transform India’s fortunes against the mighty Australians in the 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
75 vs Sri Lanka, 2002
Always a high-impact player, Dravid produced a classy knock of 75 in a tricky run-chase in Kandy to help his team achieve an impressive Test win.
148 vs England, 2002
The same year, Dravid continued his love affair with England via an exhibition of his watertight defence and unmatched elegance. On a green seaming deck, he produced a critical hundred in the famous win in Headingley.
233 vs Australia, 2003
Dravid put the horrors of the 1999-2000 Australian tour behind him with a marathon innings of 233 in Adelaide. He backed it up with a tremendous 72* in one of the most cherished Indian overseas victories.
270 vs Pakistan, 2004
Dravid piled on his highest Test match score for India in the series-deciding game in Rawalpindi. The legend pushed India to a historic 2-1 series triumph in Pakistan.
103* vs England, 2011
In one of the most beautiful memories to savour as an Indian fan, Dravid finally reached a century at Lord’s in his last appearance at the venue.
145 vs Sri Lanka, 1999
Showing off his wonderful transformation as a limited-overs player, Dravid hammered the Lankan Lions in a World Cup encounter in Taunton.
50* vs New Zealand, 2003
It was Dravid unlike ever before during a 2003 ODI tri-series match versus the Kiwis as he smashed the bowling for a 22-ball half-century.
