Rahul Dravid 'bored' talkative Brian Lara to help dismiss him in 2002: Deep Dasgupta

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Dasgupta recently talked about an incident from a 2002 Test series between India and West Indies , which involved himself and cricketing icons Rahul Dravid and Brian Lara. In an appearance on Oaktree Sports 22 Yarns with Gaurav Kapur, Dasgupta revealed a strategy devised by Indian team when y toured West Indies in 2002 for five Test matches. He said that strategy was put to use by himself and former Indian captain Rahul Dravid to unsettle West Indies batsman Brian Lara, who at time was considered as one of best batsmen in world cricket alongside likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.

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Deep Dasgupta recalls Rahul Dravid’s ‘silent’ treatment for Brian Lara

On show, Deep Dasgupta, who was India’s wicketkeeper at time, said Indian team held a meeting prior to opening Test to keep Brian Lara in check. stylish left-hander was one such batsman who liked talking to opposition even while he was batting out in middle. So y formed a strategy of t verbally engaging with Brian Lara with hope of boring him out.

Deep Dasgupta n recalled application of strategy when Lara came on to bat in first Test and he was wicketkeeping alongside Rahul Dravid stationed at first slip. former wicketkeeper said that whenever a spinner came on to bowl, Brian Lara would want to start a conversation with him and Rahul Dravid. However, he stated that both he and Rahul Dravid used to turn ir backs on batsman and pretended like thing was happening. According to Dasgupta, move apparently worked in ir favour as batsman did t score many runs in series and got out according to ir plan.

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Rahul Dravid’s strategy to dismiss Brian Lara revealed, watch video

India’s tour of West Indies 2002

Even though Sourav Ganguly-led side lost five-match series by a 1-2 margin, ir bowlers like Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble kept Brian Lara quiet throughout tour. Trinidadian cricketer scored only 202 runs across five matches at a below-par aver of 28.85. series is also remembered for Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw in fourth Test at Antigua, where former Indian captain bowled 14 overs on Day 5 to dismiss Lara.

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Im credits: ICC Twitter