Legendary South African pacer, Allan Donald, who is serving as Bangladesh’s bowling coach issued a public apology to India head coach Rahul Dravid over the sledging row of 1997. Donald also invited the former Indian skipper over dinner to sort out his differences. The incident between the two occurred during an ODI between India and South Africa in Durban.
During the Indian batting innings, Rahul Dravid, who is usually known for rotating the strike, took the front seat and targeted the likes of Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, and Rudi Bryson all over the ground. Donald sledged Dravid back then and has expressed deep regret over the incident now.
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As per the quotes in Hindustan Times, during a chat on Sony Sports, Allan Donald said, “There was one ugly incident in Durban that I don’t want to talk about. He (Rahul Dravid) and Sachin were smoking us to all parts. I overstepped the mark a little bit. I’ve just nothing but massive respect for Rahul. I would like to go out and sit with Rahul and say sorry to him again about what happened that day.”
He further added, “I just had to do something silly that brought his wicket actually. But I still apologize for what I said that day. What a guy, what a great bloke. So, Rahul, if you are listening. I would love to have a night out with you.”
The India head coach, who was shown Donald’s message in a separate interview, shared that he would gladly accept the invitation in a classic response. Rahul Dravid jokingly said, “Absolutely, I look forward to it, especially if he is paying.”
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Speaking of Rahul Dravid, he is currently with the Indian team in Bangladesh where the visitors have locked horns with the hosts in the first of the two-match Test series in Chattogram. Under the captaincy of KL Rahul, Team India managed a comeback in the innings after losing wickets early on in the contest and scored 278/6 on Day 1 courtesy of half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer.
