Sachin, Dravid or Gavaskar???

Reading an article about Dravid's test debut in 1996 and his heroics in 2002, both during the tours to England, I was left with a tricky question- Who is the best modern batsman to have played for India ? There have been many debates in the past on this, but I felt I had to answer this question for myself. Individual tastes differ, each person evaluates performance on a different metric, hence each will come up with a different name.

Quickly shortlisting, I was left with three choices: Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid. These choices were merely common sense. Once you look at their averages and possess a little knowledge of Indian Cricket, these names would crop up instantaneously. Strange though, Gavaskar was an opener, Dravid number 3 and Tendulkar number 4 (at least for most part of his career). So this makes the job a little difficult as now there will be different parameters to consider for each player.
Gavaskar: Sheer determination, coupled with extremely good foot movement were his greatest strengths. Without question he was India's greatest ever test opener, who scored heavily against top bowlers in his era. He played some of the fastest and skillful bowlers from West Indies like Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcom Marshall and registered some stunning centuries in the 70's and early 80's. However, his ability against the spinners was good, at best, partly because there were not too many outstanding spin bowlers during his cricketing days, which probably diluted his concentration against them and would get out to mediocre bowlers.
Sachin: Not many people in cricket are called by their first name. This Indian great and a batting genious has registered his name in the record books tons of times, and in all likelihood would end up as the most prolific run scorer in both One dayers and Tests. Scoring centuries against every test playing nation, in every test playing nation, and doing that with utmost regularity is what makes him an all time great! A career spanning 18 years and still counting, it is studded with some stunning performances against Australia, Pakistan, South Africa and England, more so in One dayers than test matches. A Champion who can alter his game dramatically according to the situation, play in a subdued mode and then suddenly explode with a barrage of 4's and 6's, has invented his own shots in cricket, for instance the cut over 3rd man and paddle sweep. Acknowledged by the greatest of all Sir Don as his modern avatar, Sachin will remain as India's favorite son for a long time to come.
Dravid: Limited in ability, one guy who has transformed himself to be successful in One dayers, has carried those acquired skills into test matches, and remains India's most reliable player, more so during overseas tours. Great thinker and an astute student of the game, he has played the most superior hand in many of the Indian victories in the last decade. Innings in Kolkata, Adelaide and Rawalpindi all come in mind, ended up in the winning cause. No player, barring Kallis, in international cricket has a better defence than Dravid, and would definitely please the person that wrote the coaching manual. Often coming in early, as Indian openers prefer sitting in the dressing room, he has steadied the innings on a number of occassions and led the country to a winning position from a hopeless cause, of course the bowlers never finish the job. He gives the Indian fan that extra comfort by his presence, and I think that counts a lot considering the demands of the mad cricket loving public. Most fast bowlers have said he is the most difficult person to get out. He has also taken up captaincy, but continues to deliver when the chips are down.

Now who is the best ? Gavaskar probably faced the toughest job in cricket, that of opening the innings, and pretty good at that. But those days cricket fever was not as high, schedules not as packed as these days, and not so much hype by the media. So in a sense there was less pressure on Gavaskar, although the intensity of cricket played was extremely high. Dravid is as technically as sound as an opener, and also plays shots to keep the momentum going. Sachin has always been in the comfort zone of number 4. If the first three batsmen before him had given the innings a start, all he needed was to play himself in and make runs. Also he never had to play with tail that often, so that gave him the time to score all those runs. Dravid achieved his 'Greatness' within six years in international cricket, Sachin took a decade. Dravid was instrumental in more test wins and draws, both overseas and subcontinent. There have been fewer instances when Sachin single handedly took the team to victory. So in that aspect Sachin is always No. 2 to Dravid. The latter has absorbed pressure and yet continues to deliver during crucial juncture, and thus is a greater player. Having said that, Sachin is delightful in his strokeplay. Master at dominating attacks and dessimating bowlers (Andy Caddick and Shoaib Akhtar in WC 2002). He still remains the greatest threat to opposition fast bowlers. He inspires others in the team, his presence is huge motivation and comforting factor for the others in the dressing room. He can hit the same ball anywhere in the park right from 3rd man all the way round to fine leg. Play them either off front or back foot, attack or defend and what not! It is this class that separates Tendulkar from others. Both Dravid and Tendulkar are great batsmen, one of the all time greats. And according to me it is only fair concluding that both are the greatest Indian batsmen of all time!