Graeme Swann Names Indian Batsman Who Made Him Look Like 11-Year-Old

Graeme Swann, the ex-England spinner, made his Test debut in 2008 and subsequently dismissed Test great Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir in the first over. He left a mark early in the game, and grew through the ranks, as one of the finest tweaker in international cricket, before calling time on his successful career in 2013.

His decision to retire came mid-series, after his body ran out of fuel, to accommodate a five-day contest. He represented the English side in 60 Tests and 79 ODIs and also made 39 appearances in the shortest format of the game. In a recent chat on SkySports podcast hosted by Rob Key, featuring England spinner Dom Bess along side him, the trio discussed about off-spin in particular.

Rahul Dravid was a big one for me: Graeme Swann

Rahul Dravid would stood like a wall and bat through the innings to send bowlers toiling in search of his wicket. On the contrary, he would not lose his calm, and continue to frustrate the bowlers. He was a delightful sight to watch, but ask the bowlers, who face him and they would have an different opinion.

For Graeme Swann, Rahul Dravid was a ‘big one’. He was unbelievable. And Swann has not seen a better player. The former off-spinner also recalled his spell against Dravid in a county game, and said, he would never get out and make him feel like a 11-year-old.

“Rahul Dravid was a big one for me; I bowled against him in Kent, and he was unbelievable. I’ve never seen a better player in my life. He would never get out in a county game, and that’s Rahul Dravid, one of the best in the world, and he made me feel like an 11-year-old spinner,” Graeme Swann sportingly said.

Swann picked up 255 Test wickets and 104 in ODIs but the ghosts of Dravid’s batting brilliance still continue to haunt, and might well do, for the rest of his life.