Birthday Special: A look at some of Dravid's best knocks in Test cricket

The 11th of January marks the birth anniversary of one of the finest servants of Indian Cricket and one of the great batsman of all times, Rahul Dravid. Dravid was born on January 11, 1973 in the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh.

Later, his family shifted to Bangalore. Dravid started his professional cricket career when he was 12. He went to represent Karnataka in the Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 levels of the game.

It was in 1996 that Dravid made his International Debut and went on to score a mountain of runs but more importantly, all of those came with an enormous amount of humility which came to define Dravid’s game. There is another word which comes close to defining him but falls drastically short - dignity.

Even in a country and amidst fans where cricketers are worshipped, Dravid reminded everyone that many might be able to remain calm and not lose himself. In a world where there is a struggle for limelight, Dravid didn’t mind taking the shadow and silently going about his business. Some preferred fighting with the world, Dravid fought with himself and hence his victory innately more satisfying.

On his birthday, here is a look at some of the finest innings played by Rahul Dravid.

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#1 180 vs Australia, Border Gavaskar Trophy, 2001, Kolkata

Laxman and Dravid after surviving the entire day of play

In what is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test match in history, Rahul Dravid with the help of his teammates VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh guided India to a memorable win.

Australia Team, unarguably the best Team in the world at that point of time had won 16 matches in a row, still a Test Match record, including the first match of the series at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai by 10 wickets.

As the second Test progressed it seemed like Australia will make that 17 as they put on 445 runs on the board and dismissed India for under 200, enforcing follow on.

With 3 wickets down and India still trailing Australia by a huge margin, it all looked done and dusted for the hosts. However, two men, simply refused to give up. Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman batted the entire fourth day giving nothing away to the opposition and not only reducing the deficit but taking a lead of over 380 runs.

Dravid’s 180 studded with 20 boundaries was a display of grit and determination and keeping in mind his not so good form coming into this match, it was perhaps the toughest mental battle for him.

India won the match by 171 runs, becoming only the third team to win a Test after being ensured follow-on in Test cricket history.

#2 117 vs England, India tour of England at Nottingham, 2011

Dravid's hundred went in vain as India lost the game

In a series in which all Indian batsmen struggled to keep up with the England conditions, Rahul Dravid’s class and experience stood out and outshone all others. After being toiled by the England tail-enders India had already the momentum towards the latter half of the England innings.

However, Dravid kept his end intact and as safe as a house which allowed other Indian batsmen to revolve around him. Soon after his dismissal, India collapsed and eventually lost the game.

This test is known for Dravid’s technical brilliance despite him ending on the losing side eventually.

#3 148 vs England, India tour of England at Leeds, 2002

Tendulkar, Ganguly

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Dravid scored tons in this match

In a game in which India defeated England by an innings margin at their own home, three out of the fab four (Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman) scored hundreds. Dravid, obviously, was one of them- scoring a brilliant 148 allowing the team to get to a huge score and ensuring that India did not bat for the second time in the Test.

Indian bowlers bundled out the opposition twice before they could nullify the deficit to record a memorable win. In a career full of such innings, here were a few. Many others are there but that's for some another day!

A very Happy Birthday to the great man!