Greg Chappell reveals the internal hostility to the iconic captain in his new book. - Photo by AFP

Greg Chappell’s newly-released book, ‘Rahul Dravid – Timeless Steel’, has reveled the disparity in support which the batting legend received from the Indian national cricket team, asserting the belief that had he been treated as former captains had been in the past, he could have been India’s most successful skipper.

Dravid’s successful campaign as the captain of the national team seemed not to be enough to garner support from certain members of the team, Chappell writes.

"Sadly the success of the team was not universally enjoyed within the team. Some individuals felt threatened by the new world order and appeared to work against Rahul."

"Had he been given the same wholehearted support in the role that he had given others, I think the recent history of Indian cricket may have been very different and he could have gone on to become the most successful Indian captain ever.”, says Chappell in his book, launched yesterday in Mumbai as covered by the Times of India.

Speaking next of his remarkable abilities in his dual role as captain and batsmen, the former Australian skipper writes of Dravid’s hugely successful tactics of allowing opposing teams to bat first, honing the Indians’ capabilities to chase targets.

The former Indian coach point’s to such decision’s of the batting great which marked his aptitude in the role of skipper, as under Dravid India went on to achieve a world record of 17 consecutive wins batting second.

These wins came against heated rivals Pakistan and England on-the-trot.

A similar approach also led India to record their first win in over three decades in the West Indies and a first ever Test victory in South Africa.

Chappell also writes of his comfortable communication with Dravid in stark contrast to his combustible relationship with former captain Sourav Ganguly.

"Men don't say these things, but I have a genuine affection for Rahul Dravid," Chappell has said in the book.