While discussing Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid shared a remark that the anchor clearly hoped to hear from the recently-retired Indian Test legend.
Rahul Dravid on Balance, Elegance, and Why Shorter Batters Have an Edge
Rahul Dravid, widely regarded as one of the most technically sound batters in cricket history, was a picture of resilience and textbook style at the crease. Nicknamed The Wall, he frustrated bowlers with his unbreakable defence, precise shot-making, and unmatched patience. From his elegant cover drives to his soft wrists guiding the ball through gaps, Dravid’s game was straight out of a coaching manual. Even the fiercest pacers admitted bowling to him was more challenging than to his illustrious teammate Sachin Tendulkar.
It is this authority and simplicity that make Rahul Dravid’s insights on batting invaluable. Speaking on the Haal Chaal Aur Sawaal Podcast, Dravid reflected on his batting influences and the technical nuances of balance at the crease. He recalled growing up watching Sunil Gavaskar, whose compact stance and stillness impressed him. Although Dravid, being taller, never tried to replicate Gavaskar, he pointed out how shorter batters naturally appear more poised and elegant because of their lower centre of gravity.
“Gavaskar was beautifully balanced. Tendulkar was the same. Shorter people have that advantage,” Dravid explained. He went on to list greats like Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and even Sir Donald Bradman as examples of shorter players whose stature contributed to their natural balance.
Amid this analysis, Rahul Dravid light-heartedly brought Virat Kohli into the discussion. “Kohli is short-ish. Virat Kohli might not like me calling him shortish, though,” he joked, highlighting how even modern-day greats benefit from such attributes.
For Dravid, who could bat for five days without breaking a sweat, balance was not just about elegance but about survival and success at the highest level. His reflections once again underline why, when he talks about batting, the cricketing world pays close attention.
If short batter are pleasing to watch, tall ones are more dangerous
Then again, short batters don’t have it all their way. While they often look more elegant and balanced at the crease, taller players bring a different advantage—the ability to generate immense power. Big hitters like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Yuvraj Singh, and Kieron Pollard are perfect examples of how height and reach can translate into explosive striking ability.
Rahul Dravid himself was a fascinating exception. Despite his tall frame, he never built his game around brute power. Instead, he thrived on patience, precision, and timing, proving that taller batters could excel without necessarily being the archetypal ‘hitters’.
Reflecting on modern cricket’s shift towards power-hitting, Dravid explained how the game is increasingly rewarding taller players, especially in T20 formats. “Today, as the game is changing and becoming a lot about power and hitting sixes, the reach of the taller guys is becoming an advantage. Physics will tell you. Kevin Pietersen, Kieron Pollard—look at the guys who are batting these days, in T20s especially,” he said.
Dravid’s observation highlights an interesting contrast: shorter players often stand out for their balance and elegance, while taller ones dominate with their reach and raw hitting ability. Yet, his own career remains a reminder that technique, adaptability, and mental strength can still bridge the gap between elegance and power in cricket.
