Kumble lauds Dravid’s achievement

Dravid has proved you don't need acrobatic dives to be a good catcher, says Kumble, who gained from the Bangalorean's skill

Kumble lauds Dravid's achievement

Dravid has proved you don't need acrobatic dives to be a good catcher, says Kumble, who gained from the Bangalorean's skill

Good catchers are always the bowlers' favourite fielders. After all, their catches give them the all-important wickets.

During his epic career, ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble formed many successful partnerships in Indian cricket.

Among the most cherished is the one he developed with Rahul Dravid on the field. Caught Dravid b Kumble regularly marked the Indian team's scoresheets since the time they started playing together.

He was naturally proud at his mate breaking the Test catches record. Kumble could directly relate to Dravid's record as 55 off his 183 catches have come off his bowling.

"It is a great achievement. It shows Dravid's capabilities. We had him standing at silly point, forward short-leg and first slip. And he was absolutely a safe, brilliant catcher," Kumble told MiD DAY.

"It is good that we could form a great partnership and even my 600th wicket was caught Dravid. He added a special value to it. I wish he goes on to take 200 catches," the former India skipper added.

Record holder
Dravid became the world record holder of most catches in Tests, surpassing Australian Mark Waugh, when he caught New Zealand opener Tim McIntosh at third slip for his 182nd catch on the fourth day of the third Test in Wellington yesterday. He took another catch off Jesse Ryder to take his tally to 183.

Dravid was Kumble's trusted fielder for the crucial position of first slip. He said the sight Dravid waiting in the slips was a great confidence booster for the bowlers. "There are no two ways about it first slip catching for a spinner is not easy.

"Whenever a spinner bowled, Rahul would be at first slip. It showed the kind of confidence the team had in him and the bowler has in Rahul. There are some very sharp chances he has taken in that position," Kumble said.

Ironically, Dravid is not the one who attracts attention in the field with acrobatic dives or spectacular stops. In a way, it was not even noticed that he has reached this close to the milestone till recently. Good anticipation and quick reflexes are his forte.

In his typically blunt manner, Kumble said you don't need to be a showman to be a good catcher. "Dravid practices his skills and never takes anything for granted. He is a good catcher and you don't need to be acrobatic. You don't need to show that you are catching a ball.

"You need to ensure that you are catching a ball. It does not matter whether you dive or not. When the dive is required he has dived for it. He is a brilliant catcher and a wonderful fieldsman."

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