Iconic and one of the most celebrated cricket legends Rahul Dravid has turned 46 today. The former Indian cricket captain amassed 24,208 international runs at an average of 52.31 in the Tests and 39.16 in the ODIs, hauled by 48 centuries and 146 fifties. Off-field, Dravid continued his good show and coached the winning Indian side to clinch the U-19 Cricket World Cup 2018.
Dravid touched many highs in his international cricket career and became the 2nd highest run-scorer for team India in Tests. Though popular for his ‘classic’ style of batting, this cricketing legend established himself well in ODIs as well. He proved his mettle while playing for India in limited overs format and became the 3rd highest run-getter in ODIs.
He took pride in playing overseas when the Indian players were tagged to be ‘poor travelers’ with abysmal records in Test cricket on bouncier and bowler-friendly pitches. The ‘Dravid’ era bowlers dreamt of snooping into the ‘wall’ and taking his wicket. But Dravid’s formidable defence failed many and had them struggling with the bowl. For his classical technique and determined intensity, former Australian batsman Matthew Hayden once quipped, “All this going around is not aggression. If you want to see aggression on a cricket field, look into Rahul Dravid’s eyes.”
The flawless technique
‘The Wall’, as he was popularly called, who faced more balls than anyone else in Test cricket, weathered several storms on Indian soil and overseas to give India the more consistent of starts. He is considered one of the most successful batsmen having played at number 3 position. To recall his consistency, Dravid once went straight 120 matches without scoring a duck.
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He scored his first century versus South Africa at the Wanderers against the combined and deadly bowling attack of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Brian McMillan, Hansie Cronje and Paul Adams. But the luck did not favour the Indian side and it lost out to the hosts on the last day of the Test match owing to bad light.
His love for Lord’s
Dravid went on to become the highest run-getter in the cricket World Cup 1999 held in England. He had an exceptional summer of 2002 when he captained the Indian side to a series win in England after 20 years. He played the last ODI of his career in 2011 there.
In addition to his batting skills, Dravid affected 84 dismissals in ODIs while he donned the gloves as wicketkeeper, including 71 catches and 13 stumpings. In Tests, he has a rare world record of taking most catches (210).
On his 46th birthday, we bring to you the wonderful things his former teammates and Twitteratti are saying about him on his birthday, 7 years after his retirement from international cricket.
Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag lauded him and wrote, Deewaron ke bhi kaan hote hain , is deewar ka bahut saaf Mann aur hriday bhi hai!( #TheWall too has ears, this one has a pure mind and a heart as well) A joy to have played with him and made so many wonderful memories together #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid !”
Deewaron ke bhi kaan hote hain , is deewar ka bahut saaf Mann aur hriday bhi hai!( #TheWall too has ears, this one has a pure mind and a heart as well)
A joy to have played with him and made so many wonderful memories together #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid ! pic.twitter.com/eukPvSx0II— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2019
VVS Laxman:
Many more happy returns of the day to my dear friend Rahul. I wish him all the happiness and love and hope that he continues serving Indian Cricket and continues to inspire not just budding cricketers but the youth of the country. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/fzsQcy5D5I
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2019
Shikhar Dhawan:
Rahul Bhai, you have always inspired us with your dedication towards the sport. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid
#TheGreatWallofIndia pic.twitter.com/OLSBuDHshj— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 11, 2019
Harbhajan Singh:
Happy birthday Jam..wish you all the happiness..keep continuing to flourish young talent under ur wings.. you are the best they can get..many great memories shared and many more to make #Thegreatwallofindia #legend #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/Ha9GYvHQ9n
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 11, 2019
RP Singh:
Roles might have changed but you have been standing tall ever since for the good of Indian Cricket, wish you a very #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/dJkZ6fz1Ul
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) January 11, 2019
Suresh Raina:
Happy Birthday Rahul bhai ! They call it a Gentleman’s game because legends like you played it. Sharing the dressing room with you was a privilege & an honor that I’ll never forget. Friend, mentor, captain & always #TheWall. Have a great year ahead!! #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/1HOY2bYrC5
— Suresh Raina???????? (@ImRaina) January 11, 2019
Mohammad Kaif:
Many many happy returns of the day to a terrific human being, role model and an inspiration for many youngsters in the country. One of the most likeable cricketers ever , #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid bhai ! pic.twitter.com/V07D4Ci6A8
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 11, 2019
Kidambi Srikant:
Happiest Birthday to Rahul Dravid Sir. A true inspiration to all the sportspersons out there! May almighty bless you with a long and happy life just like the innings you used to play! ????#HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/TrA7RTeCTC
— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) January 11, 2019
Pragyan Ojha:
Many happy returns of the day rahul bhai. God bless!#HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/zYv5pHfiJr
— Pragyan Prayas Ojha (@pragyanojha) January 11, 2019
BCCI:
Wishing The Wall – Rahul Dravid a very Happy Birthday. His exploits in whites are well known but we thought we would relive one of his knocks in blue against Pakistan #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/gJ1sgt6Ird
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2019
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala quipped and wrote:
Happy Birthday Rahul Dravid.
At a time when Indian Cricket’s poster boys are Hardik Pandya types, let us never forget what it means to be truly solid and humble.
Generations will come and go and Dravid will still be batting.????#HappyBirthdayRahulDravid
— Adit¥∆ M∆€∆£ (@jhunjhunwala) January 11, 2019
Years ago someone said of #RahulDravid –
“He’s the guy you’d like your sister to marry”There really couldn’t be a better statement to compliment a man’s fine character
Top Man
Great Cricketer #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid— why atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) January 11, 2019
The International Cricket Council also wished him on his birthday and posted on Twitter:
24,208 international runs.
48 centuries.
146 fifties.#U19CWC winning coach in 2018.Happy birthday to India’s Wall, the legendary Rahul Dravid! ???????? pic.twitter.com/mR5kFLqBXX
— ICC (@ICC) January 11, 2019
Twitterati could not control their excitement and speak out their minds on his birthday:
Thank you South India for giving us North Indians- Breakfast, IT jobs and Rahul Dravid.#HappyBirthdayRahulDravid
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 11, 2019
#HappyBirthdayRahulDravid An absolute gentleman of a person. You’re what a true sportsman should be all about. pic.twitter.com/Zxg8rVCutt
— Het Acharya (@Hetacharya12) January 10, 2019
There’s no one like you. Thank you for all the memories. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid #Legend pic.twitter.com/bmVMNAiGxq
— Agam Anand (@AgamAnEntity) January 10, 2019
Even though India displayed a great show as it clinched the first ever Test series in Australia, the Indian side still misses Dravid when playing overseas or when the team requires a stable batsman to survive the bowling attack. He will always be special.
Happy Birthday, Rahul Dravid!
