India’s former head coach Rahul Dravid has always been celebrated for his calm temperament, both as a player and as a mentor. Yet, even “The Wall” had rare moments where emotions flared—and one of the most memorable incidents involved legendary South African fast bowler Allan Donald.
Their heated exchange, which took place during the 1997 ODI tri-series in Durban, remains one of the few times fans witnessed Dravid visibly upset on the field. During that match, Rahul Dravid was in sublime touch, confidently putting the South African attack under pressure. After he launched Donald for a clean six, the fiery pacer responded with intense sledging.
While the exact words remain undisclosed, it was widely believed that Donald’s comments crossed a line, prompting a rare reaction from Dravid, who was known for his unwavering composure. Years later, in 2022, Allan Donald revisited the episode on Sony Sports Network, expressing deep regret.
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He admitted that the sledging had gone too far and acknowledged the immense respect he held for Dravid. Donald said he wished to apologise once again in person and even extended a heartfelt dinner invitation, calling Dravid a “great man and a wonderful human being.”
Reflecting on the incident, Donald said, “There was an ugly incident in Durban that I don’t want to talk about. Rahul and Sachin were hitting us everywhere. During sledging, I said something that hurt the spirit of the game. I have a lot of respect for Rahul. I want to go out and meet Rahul and apologise again for what happened that day. I had to do something foolish to get his wicket, but I still apologise for what I said that day. What a man, what a great person. So Rahul, if you’re listening, I want to have dinner with you.”
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When informed about Donald’s message, Dravid responded in classic Dravid fashion—humble, witty, and gracious. With a smile, he said he would absolutely be open to meeting Donald again, especially “if he’s paying.” This timeless story perfectly captures the spirit of sportsmanship that defines Rahul Dravid’s legacy.
