In their early years in Test cricket, India had the occasional outstanding fielder in the covers - Lall Singh ran out Frank Woolley in India’s first Test in 1932, to reduce England to 19 for 3 at Lord’s - but few reliable catchers close-in. The slips were a safe haven for the slow-moving or those approaching retirement, and if the edges were kind, then the catches stuck.

It wasn’t until Tiger Pataudi took over as captain and laid special emphasis on fielding that the specialists emerged. There was Ajit Wadekar at slip, Chandu Borde, and later S Venkataraghavan at gully, and those two superb catchers, Abid Ali and Eknath Solkar at short leg. Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath joined the group at slip.

Since then, India have had effective catchers - Gavaskar finished with 108 catches, and towards the end of his career was more keen to get to that century than any other. Mohammed Azharuddin had 105, and he was brilliant. Not all of V V S Laxman’s 105 catches were taken at slip. Before this series is done, Tendulkar will join their ranks - his tally before Mohali stood at 98.

There is something special about Dravid at slip. In the one-day game, he was happy to stand wider than normal, but in Tests he is the orthodox fielder, taking his bearings from the batsman and the extension of the return crease. As a catcher he is more in the Mark Taylor mould, brilliant without being flamboyant rather than in the mould of a Mark Waugh, who too was exceptional and didn’t care who knew it.

For all its obsession with figures, there is no reliable method among statisticians of the game to include such things as catches dropped or boundaries conceded in a fielder’s figures. What percentage of the catches coming to them did they actually latch on to? Great catchers drop some too, but the percentage is almost insignificant.

Dravid can take heart from Waugh’s concern over the record. But we need to remind ourselves that when he quits, he will leave behind two gaping holes - one in the middle order as a batsman of the highest class, and one at slip as the best India have produced.

one of the most under rated players ever. Surprisingly when the stats of Sachin was presented yesterday, in every parameter Dravid was close behind or slightly better (% of runs scored for his team is greater than Sachin and there is no greater measure to see the true worth of a player to a team. We seem to enjoy only one hero at a time. This generation is so fortunate to have 2 of the greatest batsmen of this era and one of them has the bonus of the best fielder also. Time we learn to celebrate Dravid too, a role model for anybody, player or otherwise.

i agree completely, he is one of the best slip fielder's and perhaps best middle order batsman after Sachin Tendulkar for India

he s the best test batsman india ever had. tendulkar has had an inflated career because of dravid s ability to wear off the bowlers at no. 3

More than Waugh's wish, it is Tendulkar who is Dravid's real threat as far as catches go. The moment it emerged that Dravid overtook Mark Taylor, one found Tendulkar immediately in slips replacing Dravid atleast for fast bowlers. Earlier, Tendulkar used to be in the deep or in the "ring", but never in catching position. Poor Dravid, it was no fault of his being good, it's just that those who matter want him to be mediocre. I really doubt Dravid will survive that many tests to overtake Waugh. It's sad that Indian cricket honchos and public want to see only the "hero" they want to see and not the Hero!

I think i'll miss dravid more than sachin once they eventually retire.

Undoubtedly Dravid would be missed as a slip catcher to the spinners. His anticipation and reflexes made him a star in that critical position.With Dhoni dropping quite a few as a wicket keeper, I think Indian spinners are in for a few frustrating moments after Dravid's retirement.

Undoubtedly Dravid would be missed as a slip catcher to the spinners. His anticipation and reflexes made him a star in that critical position.With Dhoni dropping quite a few as a wicket keeper, I think Indian spinners are in for a few frustrating moments after Dravid's retirement.

Completely disagree. Dravid has often been a liability at slip. He has had some outstanding moments but there have been some important moments when his technique and reflexes have let him down. He was probably a better short leg (or silly point). There can be no arguement that Azhar was India's best slipper. He took some blinders and rarely let go an important chance - be it Perth to tie the game against WI (a low-scorer) or give David Johnson his first wicket to send Michael Slater into hibernation.

Completely disagree. Dravid has often been a liability at slip. He has had some outstanding moments but there have been some important moments when his technique and reflexes have let him down. He was probably a better short leg (or silly point). There can be no arguement that Azhar was India's best slipper. He took some blinders and rarely let go an important chance - be it Perth to tie the game against WI (a low-scorer) or give David Johnson his first wicket to send Michael Slater into hibernation.

@Mark
Completely Disagree? You're sure exagerating.

Dravid never has been a liability...has had some bad times as everyone could have. Azhar took blinders for sure...he was one of the best fielders but still these exceptional fielders exageratted there very move...and Dravid has been as usual silent and reliable...and more often took catches which would either have been dropped or taken creating so much fuss around.

Nice article...

It really makes me wonder, how biased & unfair the media has been towards Dravid, he has seldom been credited.
As a slip catcher, he has been as safe as RBI, thats what Sunny Gavaskar used to call him.
I hope he breaks Mark Waugh's record by next test itself, but be assured, it will get the minimum fuss from the media.
Thats Dravid for you, & those who think he is a liability at slip, get a life folks.

Liabilities don't reach 176 catches!

I agree with the article and disagree with Mark. You have to remember that we are talking about Indian bowlers over the last 12 years. They rarely induced edges to the slip cordon as is the norm with most other top countries. Things are changing now, but weren't during Dravid's prime. And inspite of that, for him to be at the brink of the world record, it speaks volumes to his efficiency. And for Mark to call him a liability, it is just a prejudiced opinion.

India will miss Kimble, Sachin, Dravid, Laxman & Ganguly only when they find out how hard it is going to be without them......

Some of the recent comments about these great players, not just by the common man but by the so-called-experts are just ridiculous.

Not for nothing it is said human memory is so short.... Just a few average performance and already people are gunning for Kumble and hailing Dhoni who is neither or will never be another Rahul Dravid ( Leave alone Sachin Tendulkar) by any means....

Dravid has been an asset to Indian cricket as a test and one-day batsman as well as a slip fielder and a wicket-keeper. It is not a debate about the best slip fielder but by the time he retires, Dravid would be the record holder of highest catches in the slip. Dravid has always been India's "Best Value" in tests when the going gets tough or in one-days when to finish the game or play the middle overs when more fielders are outside of the inner circle. Dravid has been a silent performer for India and a proud Indian cricketer. India owes a lot to Dravid and he still has a lot to offer. Dravid is in the same ranks as Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting, Steve Waugh, Allen Border, and others. If Sachin is the highest run-scorer in tests and one-days, then Dravid provides the highest and the best value (irrespective of the records) in tests and one-days in addition to his support as a slip-fielder and a wicket-keeper (one-days). All great cricketers have praised Dravid for his performances.

Dravid has been an asset to Indian cricket as a test and one-day batsman as well as a slip fielder and a wicket-keeper. It is not a debate about the best slip fielder but by the time he retires, Dravid would be the record holder of highest catches in the slip. Dravid has always been India's "Best Value" in tests when the going gets tough or in one-days when to finish the game or play the middle overs when more fielders are outside of the inner circle. Dravid has been a silent performer for India and a proud Indian cricketer. India owes a lot to Dravid and he still has a lot to offer. Dravid is in the same ranks as Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting, Steve Waugh, Allen Border, and others. If Sachin is the highest run-scorer in tests and one-days, then Dravid provides the highest and the best value (irrespective of the records) in tests and one-days in addition to his support as a slip-fielder and a wicket-keeper (one-days). All great cricketers have praised Dravid for his performances.

I could not agree more. He, along with being the greatest slip fielder for India, is also one of the greatest Indian batsman(sachin,gavaskar,and probably vishy being others).Dravid has dropped very few, and most late in the career. But, that will not take anything away from some of the outstanding catches he has taken. Not just at the customary slip, he has taken some blinders at leg-slip and forward short leg.And as you said, he makes them look so simple. India and especially Indian spinners will sorely miss this great man.

Completely disagree. Dravid has often been a liability at slip. He has had some outstanding moments but there have been some important moments when his technique and reflexes have let him down. He was probably a better short leg (or silly point). There can be no arguement that Azhar was India's best slipper. He took some blinders and rarely let go an important chance - be it Perth to tie the game against WI (a low-scorer) or give David Johnson his first wicket to send Michael Slater into hibernation.

Well said. I can't imagine an Indian middle order without Dravid. He is Indian crickets unsung hero.

Well, I do not completely agree or disagree with Suresh. Yes, Dravid is very good at slip, he has also let many important ones down, at critical stages. I too feel Azhar was the best slipper India have had. There was a sense of reliability everytime the ball flew towards Azhar. He would definitely beat Dravid when it comes to catches caught-dropped ratio... But a well written article from Suresh to articulate a point which is so important but often behind the glorious shadows of batsman, bowlers and flamboyant fielders at point...

i completely agree with the article n its highlight caption "Two gaping holes"
we really miss dravid in both ways. ppl speak of him retiring not realising who later fits in his shoes.
it really becomes a hole at one down position when dravid retires. he has scored runs at every country n if u see the records, he has centuries in all test playing countries.
if he retires(hopefully not) we will surely miss a great batsman at no.3 and one of the finest slip catchers of all time.

i completely agree with the article n its highlight caption "Two gaping holes"
we really miss dravid in both ways. ppl speak of him retiring not realising who later fits in his shoes.
it really becomes a hole at one down position when dravid retires. he has scored runs at every country n if u see the records, he has centuries in all test playing countries.
if he retires(hopefully not) we will surely miss a great batsman at no.3 and one of the finest slip catchers of all time.

laxman has been better....just that kumble preferred dravid

Both Dravid and Azharuddin have been the best slip fielders; both have been oustanding. On batting fronts, obviously Dravid is ahead and I would rate him better than even Tendulkar.

@Mark: I don't know what you are talking about. I can't remeber many moments when Dravid has faltered in the slips. He along with Laxman have been the best in the world when it comes to catching in the slips for some time now. Please don't generalize your sporadic observations.

Azhar once dropped Saeed Anwar in Calcutta, a sitter, Anwar went on to make 188 and eventually Pakistan won the TEST, the most crucialcath which Azhar dropped, not comparing Azhar and Dravid, both were equally good in slips and close in, simply letting Mark know tat even Azhar has dropped some.....perhaps Azhar was better as he was one of India's finest fielders and Drvaid isnt a very good outfielder.

Mark are u sure you know what you have written?

While I agree with Mark's comment that Azhar was easily the best catcher we had not only in the slip and also any where else in the field, Rahul has to be considered easily as one of the best and calling him a liability in slip is absurd. He is arguablly the best slip catcher of spin bowling which is major part of our India's bowling

Suresh, you stole the post I wanted to write. Very good stuff. Dravid has been outstanding at slip; I was wondering when someone would pay him hsi due at that position.

HATS off to you Dravid. its an amazing feat and I am sure you will be the last indian to reach there. The average span of Indian cricketers test life will be reduced by 20/20. Yes this feat will beoverlooked till may bee Peter Roboeck writes about it or Boycott choosses to talk about it.Common Indians wake up and put your hands together for another rare achievement

There will eventually be replacements for most players including Dravid.But for any player to put attrition of the bowling over his own flamboyance and style for the team's cause so that the strokeplayers to follow can capitalise and yet be so stylish and graceful, such people are rare. A player of Dravid's stature and technique will be hard to find. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Unlike some illustrious colleagues, Dravid takes the toughest (in terms of run-getting) positions in Test - 1 drop and 3 drop in ODIs. Not for him the selfish noves - opening to restricted fields in ODIs and then the middle order to blunted attacks in Test matches. When will we ever recognise true greatness. Anyway, the day Dhoni was preferred to Dravid for the Khel Ratna, one knew it was an unfair world. We deserve the heroes we get.

Yes, Dravid is a brilliant fielder India has ever produced. Slip fielding is a specialised spot and Indian coach has to train somebody like Rohit / suresh raina / gambhir to fill that spot in the future. If I am right, Dravid started his career as a close fielder positioned in silly point / forward short leg, as the day moves, he has become specialised in slips. If we have a gap in slip fielding in the future, he need to forget for winning a series away from India, especially in the places where fast bowling speaks a lot.

It is completely unfare to compare azhar and dravid when it comes to fielding whether is slip or outfield. Below are my points of view

1. Azhar is naturally athletic.
2. He is the fielder who can be the best at any field placement he is placed and among the all time great fielders.

The FabX India has created in the last 2 decades is coming to an end - we Indians should wholeheartedly wish these fabulous cricketers a great post-retirement life - Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxmana nd Kumble have done splendid deeds for India - these guys are so great, that they can go on for 2 more years - Our Indian media with preaching by Australia, Englnad and foreign media has started attacking the Fab 5 disrspectfully - Ganguly has shown time and again not to write him off - a single failure in Sri Lanka should not result in the banishment of Ganguly - Likewsie Dravid and Sachin have prove dthemselve s- Laxman sahoed his class is still with him - Kumble is injured - so, how cna he bowl

I love this Fab 5 and so does eveyr Indian - we should let these magnificent team perform well and wish them well

Under Sunil Gavaskar, we had Vishy, Mohinder, kapil, Shastri, Vengsarkar who fall in the same calibre of cricketers

Simply a great cricketer and great person. Humility is the other word for the man. Commitment was never less than 100%. Whether people pour accolades on him or not, he sure will be a happy man when he goes; I hope that will not be too soon. The value of Fab Five will be realized by those who criticize them, only when they are gone. The cricket they have played and the pure joy they have brought to at least two generations will not be diminished by the comments made by people, including the cricket "experts". I shall remember the pure joy they all have given until my memory is with me. Hats off to you Anil, Sachin, Rahul, Sourav and Laxman.

Dravid's contribution is second to none in test match cricket, not just in catching but in winning. Since 2001, Indian cricket was on the upswing, thanks largely to aggressive Sourav as captain and Dravid at number 3, who played for days together at times. Anil's contribution to India's wins, especially at home, is not even comparable. However, the psycho media seemed to be obsessed with only one guy.

This is exactly what I meant by my last post, that even if Dravid claims the record, there will be minimum fuss from the media.
Just have a look at the responses in the thread here. People are bringing the Fab4/Fab5 issues, retirement issues, batting issues, & in a way diluting the thread ( my personal take ).
Folks, time to give Dravid his share of praise, I would request u all to make comments about Dravid only here, why all other names ( Sachin, Sourav, Kumble, Laxman ) need to be discussed, agreed, they are stalwarts of Indian cricket, but let this thread be dedicated to Dravid alone.
I think he has achieved so much that the thread can proceed with him alone.
Or is it because he has been a team-man, so the whole team is being discussed! :-)

Can't suggest if Dravid is the best slip fielder ( its a subjective analysis ), but surely, & unarguably, he has been one of the best ever. U dont take more than 170 odd catches by fluke.
India will surely miss his slip catching.

oh Mr. Mark just I felt I must reply so I am doing you have all the rights to disagree with anything maybe because your namesake is SURE to lose the record but pl try to find out the exact meaning of "liability" as I strongly feel you dont know that!!!

Truly Dravid is a unsung Hero. He never made any fuss of any thing including stepping down from captaincy. It is hard to find such gentleman, modest and noble cricketer. I hope someday someone's comes out with facts and figures of Dravid's numerous selfless contributions to Indian cricket and other fellow team mates. It is such a pity every tom, dick and harry is choosing to comment any way he wants on Dravid, just because he never responds to such things, being the gentleman that he is.
These days style is mistaken for substance and arrogance is understood to be aggresiveness. Because of that people like Dravid and for that matter Kumble never get their due recognition. To perform consistently, under critical circumstances and silently over such a long period of time is a undoubtedly a great achievement no matter what the so called experts are (foul)mouthing on various media channels.

Let us celebrate Dravid as long he lasts, because players such as him, come once in a life time.

Rahul Drvaid will remain Indian cricket's greatest unsung hero. Always away from the arch lights because he knew they would never last foreover; performance will. For him, the team came first always and it will remain RD's hallmark. They'll will know what his worth is when this Wall departs. Hats off to the legend in the true sense.

I have a strange feeling that "Mark" is really Mark Waugh!

Whilst there is no doubt that Dravid is an effective batsmen/ slips fielder and his conduct on the field is exemplary. The guy is as boring as batshit to watch the sort of player who saves test matches rather than bringing them to life. Give me Mark Waugh over him any day a flamboyant bat who could change the complection of a test match in a session and who didn't care too much about his stats

dravid is the best test batsman of india ever.ill put him at 1,gavaskar at 2 and sachin at3,if u closely follow the stats,sachin has been playing at an average of 45 since last 50 odd test matches,but dravid has had moderate form only since 20 tests,before this period he had an ave of 58.sachin rite from the starting of carrier was gr8(or thats wt ppl called him)but dravid raised his game to being one of the best batsmen to have ever played the game,from mediocricy....+ undoubtedly also the best slip fielder just 5 short of reaching the penacle.i have followed the game since around 15yrs very closely and have seen sachin drop a lot of catches at slips(the reason he no longer stands there)but dravid(even azhar for that matter)dropping a catch is a rare rarity....brilliant ppl always rank 1-2-3 but a mediocre to raise his standard to reach 1-2-3 is called a CHAMPION
n DRAVID is a champion.as far as mark waugh is concerned his wish seems to be granted,but4 his own team mate i.eHAYDEN lol

Easily the best number 3 batsman in cricket today ... and has been for ages ... he is a national hero and its time we respect and admire him for all that he has done ...

The other great aspect of Dravid has been his captaincy. Now I know he was never comfortable in that, but he actually won India two series aboard, in WI and England. The WI win was without Tendulkar, Ganguly. No one ever managed that before except Wadekar. Not to forget winning 16 one-days on a trot. He has some very impressive records in every department actually (except bowling). The man is incredibly modest. Tendulkar definitely had more talent but I think Dravid has shown more character and grown through his career. For me, that is a huge inspiration.

Dravid is surely the best slip fielder after Azhar. The best match winning Test batsmen, even in tough conditions.. agreed not at his prime time being.

It's not easy bending your back and standing for hours together with concentration and alertness. It's a difficult job and Dravid has managed it wonderfully well. Azharuddin was probably the best fielder India has had but Dravid in his league of slip catching, is second to none. After his retirement it'll be too difficult to find someone of that calibre.

Surely the best close-i fielder has been Eknath Solker .He has the highest number of catches per test of any pplayer