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Most ruthless declarations

By Rajneesh Gupta
March 31, 2004 14:13 IST
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Rahul Dravid got his name inscribed in the list of most ruthless captains in Test history when he declared India's first innings closed at 675 for 5 in Multan on Monday with Sachin Tendulkar just six runs away from what would have been his second double hundred in successive Tests and fourth overall.

Not many captains have shown the courage to declare their team's innings closed with one of their batsmen nearing a major personal milestone.

Interestingly, at least on three occasions the batsman to suffer could not complain of injustice because he was himself the captain making the decision. Peter May in 1957, Sunil Gavaskar in 1978-79, and Imran Khan in 1991-92 were the victims of their own decisions.

Who was the most ruthless captain of all? This honour should go to either the West Indian Gerry Alexander (1959-60) or Englishman Mike Atherton (1994-95). But Imran Khan (1982-83) and Rahul Dravid are not very far behind either.

The following table lists all such instances.

Missed a triple hundred:

Score Batsman For Vs Venue Series Captain Team total Result
285* P B H May Eng WI Birmingham 1957 PBH May 583-4 Draw
280* Javed Miandad Pak Ind Hyderabad 1982-83 Imran Khan 581-3 Won

Missed a double hundred:

Score Batsman For Vs Venue Series Captain Team total Result
197* F M M Worrell WI Eng Bridgetown 1959-60 F C M Alexander 563-8 Drawn
194* S R Tendulkar Ind Pak Multan 2003-04

R S Dravid

675-5 In Progress
189* J H Kallis SA Zim Bulawayo 2001-02 S M Pollock 519-8 Drawn
183* A Flower Zim Ind Delhi 2000-01 H H Streak 422-9 Lost
182* C P Mead Eng Aus The Oval 1921 L H Tennyson 403-8 Drawn
182* S M Gavaskar Ind WI Calcutta 1978-79 S M Gavaskar 361-1 Drawn
182* I V A Richards WI Eng Bridgetown 1980-81 C H Lloyd 379-7 Won

Missed a hundred:

Score Batsman For Vs Venue Series Captain Team total Result
98* G A Hick Eng Aus Sydney 1994-95 M A Atherton 255-2 Drawn
93* Imran Khan Pak SL Sialkot 1991-92 Imran Khan 423-5 Drawn
92* R W Marsh Aus Eng Melbourne 1970-71 W M Lawry 493-9 Drawn
91* R S Dravid Ind Aus Sydney 2003-04 S C Ganguly 211-2 Drawn
90* E de C Weekes WI Eng Kingston 1953-54 J B Stollmeyer 209-6 Won

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Rajneesh Gupta

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