- Dravid won the poll with 52% vote against 48% vote to Sachin
Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar have been considered the pillars of Indian Test cricket. Few would even consider comparing their contributions due to the respect they have earned through their spirit and immense work-rate. But on a Wisden-created poll final, to decide on the greatest, the two cricketing legends were put against to the audience who had a very difficult choice to make.
Dravid and Tendulkar, match-winner and once the mainstays of the Indian line-up, have scored runs in a flurry for the national team. Dravid, popularly known as the Wall, for his sheer temperament and composure to bat through the day has scored 13288 runs in Tests at an average of 52.31 with 36 centuries and 53 half-centuries to his name.
Tendulkar, on the other hand, has scored 15921 Test runs at an average of 53.78 with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries to his name. He had the high score of an unbeaten 248 in the longest format.
Rahul Dravid beat Sachin Tendulkar marginally in the Wisden poll
In the poll set up by Wisden on Facebook, Rahul Dravid earned 52 per cent of the votes while Sachin Tendulkar fell fractionally short with 48 per cent. However, both the cricketers, remain the greatest to have played the game.
VVS Laxman, another Indian Test legend, had paid tribute to both the batsmen. Tweeting about Dravid he said, “The game’s most committed student, Rahul was the ultimate team man, responding to every challenge with complete dedication. Despite being in a position to say ‘no’, he not only kept wicket in white-ball cricket and opened the batting in Tests, but did so with utmost diligence.”
On Sachin Tendulkar, he tweeted, “His trail-blazing career is the stuff legends are made of,but even more endearing is his commitment, passion & respect for the game that made him what he is. Staying grounded despite the adulation he received is a remarkable quality,one of the hallmarks of his greatness”