NEW DELHI, April 23: Indian cricket vice-captain Rahul Dravid is one of the mentally toughest players that present Australian team has encountered, according to India’s outgoing coach John Wright. “He is regarded by Australians as one of mentally toughest players they have come up against. He is a tough task competitor. He is a wonderful cricketer for India, a great, great cricketer,” Wright said.

“You only have to see Rahul’s record as a batsman. You don’t get that many runs in those conditions through being gentle, so-called soft or other nonsense that I hear,” said former New Zealand captain, who also coached Kent when Dravid played for English county.

Wright said Dravid was no less aggressive as a captain when compared to regular skipper Saurav Ganguly. At same time, he lauded Ganguly’s contribution as captain.

“He’s now most successful Indian captain, result wise. So I am very pleased for him,” he said.

But in terms of success, Ganguly is No 1 of 28 captains who have led India since 1932, when the country was given Test status.—Agencies