The 2004 Multan Test match between Pakistan and India is usually remembered for former India batter Virender Sehwag’s mammoth knock of 309 runs, which was the first time an Indian batter had scored a triple century in a Test match. However, there was another moment that captured the fans’ attention.
As the visitors batted on a mammoth score of 675/5, ace batter Sachin Tendulkar was batting on a score of 194 runs. However, it was at this moment that skipper Rahul Dravid decided to declare the innings and leave Tendulkar six runs short of his double century.
According to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, that was the first time that he saw Tendulkar visually disappointed. Chopra revealed that he was a part of the dressing room but did not participate in the conversation as he was very young back then.
“I was in the dressing room, but I wasn't part of that conversation. To be very honest, I didn't even try to get into it because I was too young. Yes, paaji wasn't happy that day. I think I saw him unhappy for the first time. I never saw him lose temper, and he didn't exactly lose temper that day but he was visibly unhappy. Something wasn't right,” Chopra told YouTube channel 2 Sloggers.
Furthermore, Chopra revealed that it was not Dravid’s decision alone to declare the innings but the entire team’s. He also stated that Sourav Ganguly, despite not being a part of the match, was in the dressing room and helped in making the decision.
“Rahul did call, but Dada (Ganguly) was part of the dressing room that day too. He wasn't playing in that game, but he was in dressing room and I'm sure he was part of the think-tank. It wasn't the captain's decision alone,” said Chopra.
"After the game, Rahul did say that he wouldn't have declared had he known the match would end within 4 days,” he added.
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