Image Source : PTI File photograph of Rahul Dravid.
Call him the ‘The Wall’, a pioneer of a affected person and defensive batting, or a recently-turned mentor of younger Indian cricketers, Rahul Dravid on turning 48 in the present day has proven within the final one yr that he’s but to provide a lot again to the Indian cricket as he took over as the top of National Cricket Academy in his hometown Bangalore in a COVID-19 hit 2020.
And to think about his quick impression on the Indian cricket group touring Down Under is getting Rohit Sharma slot in time for the final two Test matches. Of course, his followers wish to see him enjoying a lead function in future and who may blame them while you look again at his unequivocal contribution to the nationwide colors.
From making a gritty Test debut at Lord’s to profitable a collection as captain in England 11 years later, Rahul Sharad Dravid has been the pillar of Indian cricket and on Saturday, he turns 48 and remains to be going robust however now away from the hurly-burly and hustle.
Dravid’s introduction to cricket was someway overshadowed by Sourav Ganguly’s 131 in 1996 however the 267-ball 95 and 363 minutes on the crease gave India an thought of the hardwork, graft and skill of a person, who simply obtained higher and higher with time.
Born in Indore, Dravid’s contribution has been immense for his state as nicely and a offered method and sound Test sport introduced him to the worldwide fold, the place he scored a complete of 24,208 runs from 509 worldwide video games throughout all of the codecs. The now 48-year-old retired worldwide cricketer additionally has 48 centuries to his title, out of which 36 got here in red-ball cricket.
Dravid is the fourth-highest run-getter for India in ODIs with 10,768 runs from 340 ODIs at a median of 39.15. Only Sachin Tendulkar (18,426), Virat Kohli (11,609) and Sourav Ganguly (11,221) are forward of him within the listing. In Tests, nevertheless, he sits simply behind Tendulkar with 13,625 runs at a median of 52.63 in 163 video games. Tendulkar has 15,921 runs to his title from 200 matches. Overall, he’s nonetheless India’s second-highest run-getter in worldwide cricket until now.
Another essential contribution of ‘Jammy’ and one thing that’s usually not talked about when taking his title is his slip fielding. Dravid was a relentless in India’s slip cordon and in a day when gamers the place not diving round and as match as sprinters, Dravid’s catching and fielding stood out. A selfless man, who additionally donned the gloves for the group, in order that an additional batsman may be fitted in, Dravid completed with 336 catches total with 210 of them coming in Tests — which is essentially the most by a fielder in whites. He is fourth within the listing for total catches behind Mahela Jayawardene (440), Ricky Ponting (364) and Jacques Kallis (338).
Dravid’s report as a captain and chief nevertheless is maybe the one factor he would really feel laborious achieved by. He has captained India in 79 ODIs, profitable 42 and dropping 33 of them and has a win per cent of 56. In Tests, he led India out in 25 video games, profitable 8, dropping 6 and drawing 11 with a win per cent of simply 32.
But, it appears, what he could not do with the captain’s hat on, he’s making up for it as a coach. Now the top coach of the National Cricket Academy — India’s feeder line of expertise and because the former India U19 coach, Dravid’s impact on the kids have been immaculate.
