Michael Slater-Rahul Dravid duel: A testimony to Dravid's Character

In Test 1, Mumbai, Border-Gavaskar trophy, India were going comfortable at 103/2, in the 2nd innnings, with Sachin and Dravid at crease. Dravid at the strikers end, mistimed a pull shot which fell into the hands, or as replays showed, just short, of Michael Slater's grasp in India's first innings. Slater was adamant he had got to the ball before it bounced, but Dravid stayed put until the matter was referred to the third umpire. When Dravid was given the green light, Slater reacted in disgust, with the late Peter Roebuck describing the New South Welshmen's animated antics as "Slater's moment of madness." The Aussie walked up to umpire S Venkatraghavan and argued the decision with him and then turned to Dravid, who stood his ground. In his own words, the verbal abuse were brutally harsh but Dravid stayed completely zen like calm without hitting back.

Australian media manager Brian Murgatroyd said:

Dravid went to the Australian dressing room at the end of the match in an effort to resolve the matter. Slater and Dravid later sat down together over beer and put it all behind.

Michael Slater was quoted, after the Match:

Sledging Rahul Dravid was one the mistakes of my life. He did not lose his cool even when i was hurling abuses at him. I could not stomach the fact that he was single-handedly demolishing the best team in the world. When the rage wore out on me, I realized that I was an animal and he was a gentleman. He won my heart instantly

This On-Field battle clearly gives an idea of how Rahul Dravid is also in real life, a cool-collected person who may not necessarily be so openly expressive emotionally. He is objective and given to evaluating facts before taking decisions. And also the nice guy who finishes first, which all when combined only then gives a reaction so composed and humane.

(Sources: What does Rahul Dravid's signature say about his personality? , 1st Test: India v Australia at Mumbai, Feb 27-Mar 1, 2001 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo , The nastiest sledges in cricket , Slater apologises to Dravid)