Rahul Dravid’s illustrious international career, spanning from 1996 to 2012, remains one of the most iconic journeys in Indian cricket. Across 164 Tests, 344 ODIs, and a lone T20I, the legendary batter amassed over 24,000 runs, often standing tall against the world’s finest bowling attacks. Throughout his career, Dravid locked horns with some of the greatest names in cricket history—Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Muttiah Muralitharan, Shaun Pollock, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Courtney Walsh, Chaminda Vaas, and James Anderson, among others.

Known for his resilience and technique, Rahul Dravid relished these duels, often bringing out his very best when tested by the opposition’s spearheads. In a candid conversation on Kutti Stories with Ash, hosted by Ravichandran Ashwin, Dravid was asked to reveal the toughest bowlers he had ever faced.

Without hesitation, the former India skipper picked two names—Australia’s Glenn McGrath and Sri Lanka’s spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan. Reflecting on Glenn McGrath, Dravid highlighted why the Australian pacer stood out.

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“As a fast bowler, it had to be Glenn McGrath. I faced Wasim and Waqar, but that was towards the back end of their careers. McGrath, though, I faced at his peak. He constantly challenged my off-stump, had impeccable consistency, and never let up. His accuracy, bounce, and relentless stamina made him the toughest fast bowler I encountered,” Rahul Dravid explained.

Turning to spin, Rahul Dravid admitted that Muralitharan was in a league of his own. “As a spinner, Murali was phenomenal. He could turn the ball both ways, especially with the doosra. His ability to bowl long spells without tiring and keep coming at you made him an extraordinary challenge. Facing him round the wicket was always a battle of survival and skill,” he added.

Both bowlers have left behind staggering legacies. McGrath finished with 563 Test wickets and 381 in ODIs, making him Australia’s most successful fast bowler and one of the all-time greats.

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Meanwhile, Muralitharan remains unmatched with 800 Test wickets, 534 in ODIs, and 13 in T20Is—records that underline his mastery of spin. Dravid’s acknowledgement only reinforces what fans already knew—when it came to testing the very best, McGrath and Muralitharan were cricket’s ultimate examiners.