It has been a really long long wait. In the first test match against NZ, Rahul Dravid equaled Mark Waugh’s world record of 182 (most no. of) catches in test matches.
The wait, it seemed, was almost over!
Then came tough call, he dropped Daniel Vettori off Harbhajan Singh’s bowling and he missed the record! NZ’s innings came to an end and all the eyes were now set on the next match.
The man on the verge of a world record went without a catch in the second test match, much to the disappointment of his millions of fans. And Mr. Waugh said he is not a natural catcher…huh!?!
Focus shifts to the next match, if not now then not in nearly three months… NZ first innings too couldn’t get him there…India declared its second innings… piled up a huge target for the Kiwis and there was one last chance to achieve the rare milestone.
Innumerous prayers, to Allah, to Bhagwaan, to God and to Guruji… Fingers were crossed… “Edge one plz, just one. For once plz…”
I remember chanting it half asleep and almost completely dead. Despite the fever, despite feeling extremely weak, I made it a point to watch it LIVE. And I had to wait for a very brief period.
McIntosh finally edged this one to the third slip…Rahul Dravid was there… The catch wasn’t easy…but the man greeting it was tougher!
Reading the bowler’s intention and calculating the batsman’s movement, Dravid dived forward and low to take a really sharp catch. He caught it, slipped on the field, got back and in a rare display of emotion on the field; he planted a kiss on the cherry!
With the catch came the record! Rahul Dravid has now become the record holder of maximum number of catches in Tests, playing as non-wicketkeeper.
With 184 not out and still another couple of seasons left in him…the target is gonna be really tough for the successor!
What say, Mr Waugh??
