Former Australia captain Steve Waugh recently took time to reunite with his “loyal friend,” former India head coach and cricket legend Rahul Dravid, in Bengaluru.
Waugh heaped praise on Dravid, calling him a “fierce opponent” who was “unbreakable under pressure” during their intense on-field battles, particularly against Australia. Off the field, Waugh described Dravid as a “genuine long-time and loyal friend.”
Sharing the cherished moment on social media, Waugh wrote, “Upmost respect for this outstanding cricketer and person.
Fierce opponent who was unbreakable under pressure on the field yet a loyal and genuine friend off the field. The ‘wall’ Rahul Dravid.” Waugh is in Bengaluru to participate in an expo related to space projects, reflecting the growing collaboration between Australia and India in space technology.
One of their most unforgettable encounters took place during the 2001 Kolkata Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. At that time, Waugh’s Australia was nearly unbeatable. However, India staged an extraordinary comeback after following on, led by Dravid’s heroic 180-run innings and a match-defining partnership with VVS Laxman (281).
Their efforts turned the game around, helping India set a challenging target. India went on to win the Test, marking one of the greatest victories in Test cricket history.