Many consider Rahul Dravid to be one of the best batters in cricket history, and he has received numerous accolades from experts and former players. During a brief encounter with Lasith Malinga on Thursday, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara joined the bandwagon.
When asked who he would prefer to bat for his life, the former wicketkeeper-batsman replied, “Rahul Dravid, he’s unbelievable in that role.”
Kumar Sangakkara on Rahul Dravid

On Thursday, Rajasthan Royals director of cricket and head coach Kumar Sangakkara had a fun conversation with fast bowling coach Lasith Malinga about a variety of topics. The Sri Lankan greats spilled the beans on many things in the free-wheeling talk provided by the Royals, from naming the best bowler of all time to revealing cricket superstitions.
When asked who he would choose to bat for his life, Sangakkara named Rahul Dravid without hesitation. Dravid, known as ‘The Wall’ for his impenetrable defense, is India’s fourth-highest ODI run-scorer with 10,768 runs from 340 ODIs at an average of 39.15.
With 13,625 runs at an average of 52.63 in 16 Tests, he is second only to Sachin Tendulkar.
“Rahul Dravid, he’s unbelievable in that role. ‘The Wall’, there is a reason for that name” Sangakkara said.

Malinga then asked about his favorite Sachin Tendulkar memory.
“When I played my first IPL season in 2009 in South Africa, I got the first wicket on my second ball, caught in the slips by Sachin. This is my most memorable moment with the man,” Sangakkara replied.
Sangakkara is now the director of cricket and head coach for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season.
Meanwhile, Malinga was hired as the franchise’s fast bowling coach for the season.
RR is getting closer to qualifying for the playoffs, and their final league game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday will determine whether they advance to the knockouts.