RAHUL ‘THE WALL’ DRAVID

‘THE UNSUNG LEGEND’

MR. DEPENDABLE

On 11th January 1973, in Indore a Kannada couple Sharad and Pushpa Dravid were gifted with a son, they named him Rahul. Rahul’s interest in cricket began

to blossom when he was 10 years old. Like most boys his age, he began to knock about with a rubber ball in the streets.

But with his considerable talent, it did not take him long to become an indispensable cricketer for his school side.

THE BEGINNING

Rahul’s interest in cricket began to blossom when he was 10 years old. Like most boys his age, he began to knock about with a rubber ball in the streets.

But with his considerable talent, it did not take him long to become an indispensable cricketer for his school side.

RANJI DEBUT

The Dravid success story then began to unfold at great speed. He played at the Under-17 and Under-19 circuit, then made his debut in Ranji Trophy in 1991, while a second-year student at the St. Joseph’s College of Commerce in Bangalore.

It was a game against Maharashtra, and Dravid, batting at No. 7 stroked a masterful 82.

In the very next match, against Bengal he got his maiden first class hundred, a rock-solid 132, this time batting at No.6. The script of his success story was turning out to be neat.

SUCCESS AT THE DOMESTIC LEVEL

Those watching Dravid play at the domestic level realized here was Mr. Potential walking around in cricket flannels.

His yen for being a perfectionist technically, his sound temperament, his ability to accumulate runs with patience, all augured well for the future of Indian cricket

NATIONAL SIDE

In 1996, Dravid got his hard earned test cap against England at The Lord’s alongside Sourav Ganguly.

It was a match both men will remember for different reasons. Dravid because he missed a century by five runs, Ganguly because he managed to get a ton.

Since the stage was huge and the occasion so special, both Dravid and Ganguly were catapulted, almost instantly, to international stardom.

Ever since they arrived together on the scene, comparisons have not ceased.

Today both of them are counted amongst the most important contributors to Indian Cricket, while one has already bid goodbye to cricketing arena the other still continues to serve the team with the same dignity.

ARJUNA AWARD

In 1998 Dravid was honoured with the “Arjuna Award ” for his excellence in the game.

It was yet another proud moment for him as well as for his parents who had always stood by him.

STRUGGLE AT THE ONE DAY LEVEL

While Sourav continued to impress the selectors with his ability to score runs at a fast pace Rahul although a permanent member in the test team struggled to maintain his place in the one day side, somewhere his vast array of strokes were not giving him maximum returns.

His brilliant show in tests also didn’t impress the selectors to the extent that they could give him some more chances.

Finally he got a chance to prove his metal in an ODI series at home against Srilanka.

He made full use of the opportunity and made 116 off just 118 deliveries in the very first ODI

1999 WORLD CUP

The 1999 World Cup, was although , not one of the most memorable editions to the mega event as far as Indian team’s performance is concerned, but, it gave Rahul the recognition of a top class ODI batsman for sure.

Emerging as the highest run getter with 461 runs under his belly he made 2 centuries and 3 fifties.

All of them scored at a steady pace and under difficult conditions.

MARRIAGE

It was on 4th May 2003 that one of the most eligible bachelors of that time in India decided to get married.

It was an arranged marriage with “Vijeta” a Doctor by profession.

BEHIND THE WICKETS

Each time the main wicketkeeper in the side used to get injured Dravid’s abilities to keep the wickets worked to the team’s advantage.

But in 2002 Ganguly(captain) and the team management decided to keep him in the playing 11 as the main wicketkeeper so that the team could play with 7 batsmen.

Dravid took up the responsibility and performed well both behind and in front of the wickets in that series.

However, critics commented that Rahul was forced to accept wicketkeeping to assure him of his place in the One day team because of competition coming from young strokeplayers like Yuvraj and Dinesh Mongia.

CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Rahul made the whole country proud when he bagged both “Cricketer of the year” and “Test cricketer of the year” awards in 2004

Adding another feather to his cap

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

In the IPL in 2008 Dravid was the captain of the Vijay Mallya owned Bangalore Royal Challengers team which proved to be an underdog in the tournament although he himself played well

From 2011, Dravid starts playing for Rajasthan Royals

In 2013, Dravid bring his team up to Semifinals

LAST CALL

In 2012, Dravid announced his Retirement by saying that he wanted to Give his remaining time to his family