'Pure India ka bhi favourite hai wo' - Fans react as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak names his favourite cricket player

Rishi Sunak, the United Kingdom's (UK) prime minister of Indian descent, has cited Rahul Dravid being among his favourite cricketers. Sunak was the guest on BBC TMS's lunchtime show, and when he was questioned about England and Australia's approach to Lord's bouncer tactic, the Dravid allusion came up. Sunak laughed and replied, "Should they sway or duck-like Dravid? Rahul Dravid is one of my favourite players really. I loved his technique. His attitude, personality.”

Dravid, who is regarded as one of India's all-time great batsmen, collected 13288 Test runs across 164 games with an average of 52.31, including 36 tonnes and 63 half-centuries. In Test history, he also has the distinction of facing the most deliveries (3,1258).

He continued by describing the time he witnessed Sachin Tendulkar bat in person while visiting India. He said, “I was in India in 2008 when the terrorist attack happened. England cricket team had gone away. I had gone for friend’s wedding. But England decided to come back and play a Test in Chennai. I was there. Tendulkar scored massive in that run chase, sadly we lost and India won. It was good to see him bat.”

Tendulkar played for India in 200 Tests as well as 463 One-Day Internationals during the course of a 24-year career, setting records for runs scored (15921 in Tests as well as 18426 in ODIs) with hundreds (51 in Tests as well as 49 in ODIs).

The former finance minister of the UK also spoke about the cricket players who he grew up watching. He said, “I grew up watching Robin Smith, the Hampshire star, Malcolm Marshall … I have been lucky to watch all of them.”

Sunak laughed before responding when asked whether or not he gets as passionate regarding cricket as Indian fans. He said, “I can express it less in this job. Before I had this job, I would do that. I am a passionate sports fan. When England got the first wicket here (at Lord’s), I was standing up and realising ‘gosh’… and sat down.”

Fans react as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak names his favourite cricket player: -

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, "Rahul Dravid is one of my favourites. I really loved his technique, his attitude and personality". pic.twitter.com/tmrN4xoTpi

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 2, 2023

So good to see Rahul Dravid getting appreciation from a fellow teammate ❤

— Dhaval Patel (@CricCrazy0) July 2, 2023

But failed big as coach for senior cricket team

— Er.Riz1 (@smariz01) July 2, 2023

Ashish Nehra said, "Rahul Dravid is one of my favourites. I really loved his technique, his attitude and personality".

— Utkarsh ⚕️ (@Utkarsh2126) July 2, 2023

Just coz his father in law is from Bangalore 🐶🐶

— Mid (@WessonHive) July 2, 2023

I thought his favourite player is Ashish Nehra

— harsh♥️🇮🇳 (@HARSH99OP) July 2, 2023

Fun fact:**Us president is really look like rahul dravid

— kanhaiya sharma (@KANHAIY34640031) July 2, 2023

Homies forever pic.twitter.com/WI3wWuESxS

— Bhoo (@thepipebombshow) July 2, 2023

But prime minister of UK is Ashish Nehra 🤔

— Radhika Chaudhary🦋 (@Radhika8057) July 2, 2023

Intelligent, Wise, Humble and Hardworking person always admired Rahul Dravid. PPL who genuinely love cricket will love Rahul Dravid

— Neha Mittal (@NehaMit07831082) July 2, 2023

I thought he would say Ashish Nehra as his favorite player.

— Ganesh P (@GaneshPrabha1a) July 2, 2023

There is no one who can hate him!

— Cricfan! (@breathcric) July 2, 2023