Watch: Allan Donald apologises to Rahul Dravid for 'ugly' incident in 1997

Former South African fast bowler Allan Donald has apologised to India’s ex-captain Rahul Dravid for an “ugly” incident that happened 25 years ago at Kingsmead, Durban.

Donald is currently the bowling coach of the Bangladesh team and Dravid is India’s head coach. India and Bangladesh are now involved in a Test series and it was time for Donald to say sorry to the Indian batting legend during the first Test in Chattogram.

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Speaking to host broadcaster Sony Sports Network, Donald said, “There was one ugly incident (in 1997). He (Rahul Dravid) and Sachin were smoking us to all parts of Durban. I overstepped the mark a little bit. I just got nothing but massive respect for Rahul Dravid. I would love to go out for dinner and sit with Rahul and say sorry to him again about what happened back then. I just had to do something silly, that brought his wicket actually. But I still apologise for what I said back then. What a great guy, what a great bloke.”

“Rahul, if you are listening, I would love to have a night out with you,” he added.

In the video posted by Sony, Dravid is watching the clip on the phone and he responded to Donald’s apology and the dinner invite by saying, “Absolutely yeah, absolutely, I look forward to it. Especially if he’s paying.”

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The match which Donald spoke of, happened on February 13, 1997. It was the tri-nation final. The other team in the competition was Zimbabwe. Dravid had hit a six off Donald and went on to score 84 off 94.

India’s captain Sachin Tendulkar made 45 but the team lost by 17 runs, after being set a revised target of 251 in 40 overs. Donald took 3/48 in 7.2 overs. Dravid won the ‘Man-of-the-match’ award. South Africa’s skipper Hansie Cronje was adjudged ‘Man-of-the-series’.

𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭! 🤝

📹 | Bangladesh’s bowling coach Allan Donald sends out a special message to India’s head coach Rahul Dravid 💙

P.S. The end will certainly bring a smile to your face 😄#AllanDonald #RahulDravid #SonySportsNetwork pic.twitter.com/UgYy5QGf5e

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) December 14, 2022