'Sorry, KL Rahul', Dravid Still 'A Nightmare' For Australia: Matthew Hayden's Freudian Slip Reveals India's Plight Down Under

Discussing what Indian batting should rectify to bounce back in Brisbane, Gavaskar said that captain Rohit should return to the opening slot. “I think he should come back to opening for the next Test because he likes the ball to come onto the bat. This innings, one can understand, because he hadn't played for a while, and (KL) Rahul and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal had a 200-run partnership in the previous game.

"But Rahul can come down the order and face the second new ball. I'm being optimistic that India will bat so well in the next game that Rahul will take care of the second new ball as well,” the India great said on host broadcaster Star Sports.

Hayden begged to differ, implying that India should not have a knee-jerk reaction to the defeat in Adelaide and that “technically”, Rahul was sound. But he mistakenly said “Rahul Dravid” instead of “KL Rahul”.

The southpaw said: “I'll be slightly more stubborn. I will not be changing at this stage. I know you would like a better outcome inside the top three. But from what I saw in Perth, technically, Rahul Dravid is right there. He just needs to do it for a longer.”

Gavaskar immediately pounced on the Aussie's gaffe, saying, “I would love it if it was Rahul Dravid, as you said, but it is KL Rahul.” Hayden broke into laughter as he apologised, before revealing that Dravid's majestic double hundred at the Adelaide Oval still haunts him.

“Sorry, KL Rahul. My apologies. I was thinking of when he dominated here in Adelaide and got us smashed in 2003/04 series. That's a nightmare I'm still living,” the former Australia opener said.

The innings Hayden was referring to came nearly 20 years back, a 446-ball, 594-minute epic that led to India's first Test win Down Under since 1981. 'Mr. Dependable' hit 23 fours and a six en route scoring 233 of the most priceless runs, as the visitors responded to Australia's towering 556-run total with 523 runs of their own.

Dravid forged a 303-run partnership with his trusted ally VVS Laxman (148 off 282), who hit a sparkling century himself, to bring back memories of the Eden Gardens masterpiece the duo scripted a couple of years prior. Dravid followed up the double ton with an undefeated 72 in the second innings as India chased down a target of 230 to enter the annals of history.

The irreplaceable Dravid amassed 1166 runs across 16 Tests Down Under at an average of 41.64. He played in challenging conditions on what were predominantly fast, bouncy wickets and registered six fifties and a hundred to boot. The value of a reliable anchor at the top of the order is entirely evident at this stage, as India come to terms with their batting failure in the two Adelaide innings and seek answers on how to conquer Gabba again.

The third Test between the fierce adversaries, a red-ball affair, starts on Saturday (December 14).