Birthday special: Rahul Dravid – Always serving Indian cricket in every possible way
Rahul Dravid was a cricketer who always put the team before himself. If the team required a make-shift wicketkeeper, he was ready to don the gloves. Dravid is arguably one of the greatest No.3 batters to have played Test match cricket.
But, if an opener was injured, Dravid was the first person to step up and offer his hand to open the innings. Dravid is a towering figure in the sport. He has scored over 10,000 runs in Tests and ODI cricket and amassed 48 international hundreds in his career.
But then, beyond the numbers, Dravid is remembered with a sense of fondness even nine years after his retirement because of his dedication to every cause. And even after his retirement, Dravid has continued to serve Indian cricket in the best possible way.
After his retirement, the legendary cricketer took the task of honing the next generation of cricketers in the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Several young talents have blossomed with Dravid passing on his vast knowledge about the game to the youngsters.
VVS Laxman, who has taken over from Dravid as the NCA Head, said that Dravid is a terrific mentor, and added that several youngsters have benefited from Dravid’s knowledge.
“Most players in the squad have worked with Rahul [Dravid] previously, either with India ‘A’ and Under-19 or at the NCA, and have clearly benefited from his wisdom. I am sure they will be better off for this experience because Rahul is a terrific mentor, cricket-wise and beyond,” said Laxman.
After his NCA stint, Dravid has now taken up the role of the head coach of the Indian cricket team. And the Indian side emerged victorious in Dravid’s very first assignment as the full-time Indian head coach. India beat New Zealand in both the T20I as well as the Test series in November-December last year, as the ’Rahul Dravid era’ in Indian cricket started on a positive note.
Dravid has served Indian cricket in every way possible and has carried out his duties with aplomb. Here is wishing the legend a very happy 49th birthday.
