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Watch: Archive footage shows bizarre Rahul Dravid caught and bowled dismissal by Sanath Jayasuriya, via Marvan Atapattu at silly mid-off, in record-breaking 1997 Test

Watch: Bizarre Archived Rahul Dravid Caught And Bowled Dismissal By Sanath Jayasuriya, Via Marvan Atapattu At Silly Mid-Off, In Record-Breaking 1997 Test
by Wisden Staff 3 minute read

A remarkable caught-and-bowled, involving two of the greats of the game, in a record breaking match of cricket.

The year is 1997 and Sri Lanka are taking on India in Colombo. It’s the first of a two-match Test series with India’s XI boasting the likes of Mohammad Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble. The home side, meanwhile, featured a young Mahela Jayawardene and Chaminda Vaas.

But it was two other greats of the game, Rahul Dravid and Sanath Jayasuriya, who would combine for one of the strangest dismissals you are ever likely to see in Test cricket.

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With India 230-2 and Rahul ‘The Wall’ Dravid on 69 off 197 deliveries, Dravid rocked back to cut a Jayasuriya delivery into the off-side. It was a full blooded shot that struck Marvan Atapattu who was fielding at silly point and rebounded back across the wicket where a diving Jayasuriya was able to take the catch.

But, it would be far from the most memorable part of Jayasuriya’s game. India finished their innings on 537-8 before Sri Lanka piled on the all-time highest total in Test cricket of 952-6. Jayasuriya, scoring 340 to go along with his figures of 3-45 in the first innings.

At one point, Sri Lanka were an incredible 615-1 as they batted a total of 271 overs. India bowlers Rajesh Chauhan, Anil Kumble and Nilesh Kulkarni all bowled more than 70 overs apiece.

Watch: Dravid’s incredible dismissal

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