RAHUL DRAVID - CEAT CRICKETER OF THE 1999 WORLD CUP

Rahul Dravid topped the CEAT World Cup Rating in 1999 with a tally of 23 points.

He began the World Cup with 54 in India’s first match against South Africa, before opening out against the Kenyans and Sri Lankans in successive matches. His 104 against Kenya and 145 against Sri Lanka made him the second batsman in the history of the World Cup to score hundreds in successive matches after Mark Waugh in 1996. The century against Sri Lanka was more significant, as it was scored during a record stand of 318 with Sourav Ganguly. Dravid had the additional responsibility of keeping wickets in that game in the absence of the injured Nayan Mongia, and he became the second ‘keeper-batsman’ after Dave Houghton to score a World Cup hundred.

He did not rest on his laurels and scored 53 in India’s crucial preliminary game against England. The Indians faltered in the Super Sixes by losing to Australia and New Zealand, but posted an emphatic win over eventual runners-up Pakistan. Dravid top-scored in that game with 61.

Dravid’s aggregate of 461 was higher than any other batsman in the tournament. His display at the pivotal no. 3 position was a turning point in his career and silenced his detractors, who had labelled him a ‘Test match specialist’.