Rahul Dravid was never the flamboyant power-hitter, but his batting was a lesson straight out of a coaching manual. His stillness at the crease, precise footwork, and copybook strokes made him one of the most technically sound players India has ever produced. From a rock-solid defence to the silken flicks off his wrists, Dravid could frustrate fast bowlers and spinners alike, grinding them down with his patience and skill.
Why Dravid’s Words Carry Weight
When Dravid speaks about batting, people listen. His calm, analytical approach and deep understanding of the game make his observations invaluable. On the Haal Chaal Aur Sawaal Podcast with Ashish Kaushik, the recently retired India head coach spoke about balance, technique, and why shorter batters often look more elegant at the crease.
The Influence of Gavaskar and Tendulkar
Growing up, Dravid idolised Sunil Gavaskar, who, despite his smaller frame, always looked beautifully balanced while batting. He pointed out that legends like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and even Don Bradman benefited from having a lower centre of gravity.
“Gavaskar was beautifully balanced. I always admired his stillness. Tendulkar too was very balanced. Shorter batters naturally appear more stable. Look at Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting, even Bradman. Kohli is short-ish… though Virat Kohli might not like me calling him that,” Dravid admitted with a chuckle, realising instantly that his remark might raise eyebrows.
Short vs Tall: Elegance or Power?
Dravid was quick to balance his views by highlighting the advantages taller batters bring to the modern game. While shorter players often appear more stylish and compact, taller ones use their reach to dominate bowlers with sheer power.
Players like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Yuvraj Singh, and Kieron Pollard changed the way batting was perceived, especially in T20 cricket, where big hitting rules.
“But today, the game is about power and six-hitting. The reach of taller players is an advantage – it’s simple physics. Look at Pietersen, Pollard, and the modern T20 batters,” Dravid explained.
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