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How Bob Simpson’s Coaching Turned Rahul Dravid Into A Slip Catching Giant

Jatin

Rahul Dravid and Bob Simpson [Source: @arsl71, @tajal_noor/x.com]Rahul Dravid and Bob Simpson [Source: @arsl71, @tajal_noor/x.com]

Rahul Dravid will forever be remembered as one of India’s greatest Test batters, the rock at No. 3 who soaked up pressure like no other. But his story as a cricketer was never just about the runs.

Rahul Dravid Credited Bob Simpson for His Evolution Into A World-Class Slip Fielder

From donning the gloves as a provisional wicketkeeper in the early 2000s to becoming one of the finest slip catchers in the game, Rahul Dravid built his legacy by doing whatever the team needed. And behind his rise as a master in the cordon was a priceless stint with former Australian cricketer and coach, the late Bob Simpson, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 89.

Dravid admitted that slip catching wasn’t something that came naturally to him, but something he worked on relentlessly. On the Lessons Learnt with the Greats podcast, he explained the turning point:

“I wasn’t a good enough bowler to be able to contribute with the ball. I tried my best. So I sort of figured out ‘How do you contribute to the team? What do you do?’. I mean, sitting there as a batsman, what can I do really well, and one of the things was, if I catch well, it’s a contribution. You feel you’re involved, you’re playing a part.”

Dravid went on to reveal how he sharpened his craft with hours of practice and small but crucial adjustments in technique.

The Simpson Effect

It was in 1998–99 that Bob Simpson, then working as a consultant with the Indian team, left a lasting impression on Dravid. The Australian great was known for revolutionising slip-fielding drills,and Dravid soaked it all in.

“I remember Bobby Simpson came and spent some time with the Indian team in 1998/99 and he took us through a lot of slip catching drills. And one of the things he stressed on a lot was having your feet bent a little bit so that you could get your weight into the balls of your feet. That was something I took to heart and practised a lot.”

Dravid also spoke about learning by watching the Australians, especially Mark Waugh and Mark Taylor, who were part of a world-class slip cordon at the time.

“Even watching someone like Mark Waugh, the way he stood, in some ways I used to watch that. It was a really good Australian slip-catching unit: you had [Mark] Taylor, Waugh, they were really, really good, and you used to sort of watch them.”

Dravid’s attention to detail and Simpson’s technical guidance paid off in the long run. He broke Mark Waugh’s record and became the first designated fielder to complete 200 catches in Test cricket and finished his career with a staggering 210 grabs in 164 Tests.

Simpson’s Wider Contribution

Bob Simpson’s influence stretched far beyond Dravid. Regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Australian cricket, Simpson transformed Australia into a ruthless side during his coaching years. He unearthed stars, built catching units that became the envy of the world and masterminded famous wins like the 1987 World Cup and the 1989 Ashes.

As a player, he had been one of the sharpest slip catchers himself and his methods turned Mark Waugh and David Boon into specialists in the cordon. Simpson’s mantra on balance, reflexes and technique shaped a generation of fielders with Dravid himself a shining example of that impact.