It is typical of Rahul Dravid that when he set a world record for test cricket, it was one of the least publicized.

Dravid, a 36-year-old Indian, is one of the great players of the era, possessor of perhaps the purest technique of any contemporary batsman. He is also a supreme team man who invariably tailors his performances to India’s need and has been overshadowed for much of his career by more flamboyant players.

Part of his immense contribution has been his fielding, particularly as a catcher in the slips — the group who stand alongside the wicketkeeper waiting for deflections from the bat. By far the largest number go to the keeper, the one player who is defined by a fielding speciality. Mark Boucher of South Africa holds the all-time record for wicketkeepers in five-day tests with 453 catches.

When Dravid dived low to his left to dismiss New Zealand’s opening batsman Tim McIntosh at Wellington on Monday it was his 182nd catch in tests, taking sole possession of the record for fielders other than keepers. He had been tied with Mark Waugh of Australia.