Matthew Hayden praises the former India head coach, “Rahul Dravid won on the principles of cricket and principles of life.”

During a function, Matthew Hayden showered Rahul Dravid, the head coach and former captain of India, with praise. The two cricket players had participated in some iconic matches between Australia and India, which helped to fuel the rivalry to its current extreme.

During an India vs. Australia Test match at Eden Gardens in 2001, Dravid and VVS Laxman shared an incredible 376 runs together. Laxman concluded with a record-breaking 281, but Dravid also showed off his skill with a fantastic 180. The two legendary cricket players also shared a fantastic 303 runs in Adelaide in 2003, with Laxman scoring 148 and the Karnataka batsman scoring an incredible 233.

Dravid entered coaching after having an incredible playing career, and he recently assisted India in winning the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. The former head coach of India received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at a recent awards ceremony.

During the occasion, Matthew Hayden was requested to speak briefly on behalf of the former captain of India.

Recalling the well-known collaborations between David and Laxman, the Kingaroy native disclosed how the one at Eden Gardens thwarted Michael Slater’s festivities.

“Unfortunately, it was the amazing partnership he had up at Eden Gardens from the perspective of Australian cricket. That alliance with VVS Laxman was the only thing more sacred. When Michael Slater said that we would be smoking these cigars at the end of the day and that we would have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Hayden mentioned Dravid at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards. That day, we boarded the bus in Kolkata.

The 52-year-old also gave Dravid credit for not adopting a win-at-all-costs mindset, but for playing the game honourably and adhering to his values.

“You mentioned that remarkable partnership that VVS Laxman and I had while batting all day. Of course, the Adelaide one was also something else entirely. Australia had immense pressure to perform flawlessly against Rahul, and they did so with grace, poise, and a strong sense of justice.

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Rahul Dravid prevailed in a game that might entice you to win at any costs by adhering to both the rules of life and cricket, he said in his conclusion.