Rahul Dravid’s 217 in 2002 was a masterclass in patience, timing, and grit — a knock that turned the tide and silenced the Oval crowd
As India gears up for an exciting five-match series in England starting on June 20, 2025, let's reminisce about one of the most incredible innings ever played by an Indian batter on English soil.
The year was 2002, and India hadn't celebrated a Test series victory in England since 1986. With the series level at 1-1, as they headed into the fourth and final Test at The Oval, the team was looking for something truly special to turn the tide!
And boy, did Rahul Dravid deliver.
The match commenced on September 5, with England winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Michael Vaughan spearheaded the innings with a magnificent 195, enabling the hosts to post an imposing 515 in their first innings. It was a marathon batting display that stretched over two days and 155.4 overs, leaving India with a monumental task ahead of them.
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Harbhajan Singh worked diligently to take five wickets, but the Oval pitch provided little assistance to the bowlers.
India's reply began shakily. Virender Sehwag departed for 12 runs. Sanjay Bangar persevered for a gritty 21 before falling. However, at 87 for 2, Rahul Dravid was already settled at the crease.
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Over the next 11 hours of batting, Dravid shut out the noise, blocked out the movement, and gradually dismantled England's bowling attack. He faced 468 deliveries across 629 minutes. There were no shortcuts — only textbook technique, immense focus, and ironclad determination.
His 217 was crafted with 28 boundaries, each one of them earned.
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While Dravid anchored the innings, others contributed to build the skyscraper. Sachin Tendulkar struck a fluent 54, Sourav Ganguly added a stylish 51, and VVS Laxman played the perfect supporting role with a patient 40.
India posted 508 in 170 overs—just 7 runs short of England's total, a near-perfect response to a first innings that could have overwhelmed a lesser side.
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This was a full-throttle Test match, the sort where every run and every spell was hard-earned.
By Day Four, England had reached 114 without loss in their second innings. Marcus Trescothick (58*) and Vaughan (47*) appeared in control. However, the rain gods intervened. Day Five was washed out, resulting in a draw.
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Nonetheless, the effort was significant. India didn't win the Test, but they also didn't lose the series. The outcome? A memorable 1-1 draw, marking their best away Test series result in England since the 1980s.
Dravid's 217 wasn't merely a number. It reminded the world that Indian batters could now thrive in England — not just survive.
That innings helped to shift the balance of power, demonstrated that Indian cricket had evolved, and ensured that Rahul Dravid, "The Wall," would forever be remembered as one of the finest travellers in Test history.
Now, as Shubman Gill prepares to lead India into a new era, Dravid's epic at The Oval will remain a benchmark — of resilience, class, and Test match mastery.
