According to Aakash Chopra, Dravid’s batting position made him absorb more pressure than Tendulkar

Indian batsman-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra launched his book “Numbers Do Lie’ at a South Mumbai bookship last night. The book, co-written by Jaideep Verma, which reveals 61 cricket stories known by none, was launched by former Indian quick Zaheer Khan and renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.

The book throws light on the impact performances of international players. Page 32, however, focuses on two legendary batsmen — Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid — who were the focus of discussion at yesterday’s book launch.

“In terms of Test cricket, rated ahead of him (Tendulkar) is Rahul Dravid. In the 1990s, when Sachin was just the lone ranger, nobody was supporting him. If I have to put it this way, Sachin never had Rahul to support him to win matches, but Rahul always had Sachin to support him to win matches,” said the author of the book, Chopra.

He further explained how Dravid absorbed more pressure due to his batting position which was No. 3 and No. 4.

“Rahul absorbed more pressure because batting at No. 3 and No. 4 are two different things. So Rahul was invariably batting at 10 for one and had Viru (Sehwag) for company. By the time Sachin came in it’s just that the pressure was not the same all the time. Also, Rahul’s overseas performances have been the clincher,” Chopra added.

Though the Indian team was better known for its’ Fab Four’ in the 2000s, the book rates pacer Zaheer Khan as the man who made the most impact in the Indian team of then.

“In the 85-year-old history of Indian Test cricket, the highest impact bowler in overseas conditions for India is Zaheer Khan. Between 2007 and 2012, you (Zaheer) were the second highest impact and the second-most consistent fast bowler in the world after Dale Steyn,” Varma told Zaheer.

Aakash Chopra has previously penned down books like Beyond the Blues, The Insider and Rajasthan’s Road to the Ranji Trophy.