It has been exactly one year since Rahul “The Wall” Dravid finally bid adieu to the “gentleman’s game”. Most of the people of my generation have watched cricket being played in a vehement and agitated manner, often involving unnecessary display of external aggression. But then, there was a true “gentleman” in the form of Rahul Dravid, who proved that there is still place for old-fashioned classicism in modern-day cricket. He showed the world that it is possible to be successful by channelizing your aggression into your performance and conducting yourself in a graceful manner. As somemone beautifully put it,
“Every father would love to have his son like Rahul Dravid.”
Coming to cricket, the world has seldom seen a batsman so technically sound as Rahul Dravid. The sheer ability to bat for long hours is what made him special (and often ridiculed too). In a team game, he was someone even Hitler would have vied for as an ally. The fact that he could package himself into multifaceted roles according to the needs and necessities of the team made him an integral part of Team India. Starting from keeping wickets to leading the team, he has been there done that.
My earliest memory of Dravid is watching him bat during the 1999 World Cup in which he emerged as the highest run getter. Who can forget his historic partnership with VVS Laxman in the Kolkata test which changed the direction of Indian Cricket? The fact that he has been involved in such mammoth partnerships adds a lot of value to his contribution. My favourite knock of Rahul Dravid will always remain his match-winning 233* against Australia at Adelaide. Having watched Dravid bat that day makes you proud to be an Indian.
The second wind of Rahul Dravid is what underlines his greatness beyond dispute. The three test hundreds in England in his penultimate series distinguished him from mediocrity. The fact that all the other batsmen failed makes his knocks even more special. And who can forget those 3 consecutive sixes of Samit Patel in his solitary T20 International in the same tour? The decibel levels in my hostel went through the roof the moment the final six came of his bat. It was perhaps because of the uncharacteristic element attached to it. The perception of Rahul Dravid in the minds of most people is associated with defensive batting. But, having witnessed some of his attacking knocks, I feel it is unfair to stereotype his batting. He holds the record for the second fastest 50 by an Indian in an ODI. His 75 off 36 in an IPL match for RCB was as attacking an innings as it can get. He is easily one of the most complete cricketers to have played the game.
One year on, Dravid’s big shoes have been partially filled in by Cheteshwar Pujara. The double hundreds he has notched up in the recent past give you an impression of “another brick in The Wall”. But the de facto parameter to judge his credibility would be his overseas performance. He needs to notch up some fine performances abroad to be somewhere near his great predecessor.
Rahul Dravid will always be remembered as the proverbial “good boy” who re-defined the game of cricket. He remains to be the epitome of integrity, determination and sportsmanship. The cliché that went viral during his retirement aptly justifies his legacy as a cricketer and as a person:-
“People say that Sachin is God,
Ganguly is God of off side,
Laxman is the God of 4th innings,
But when the doors of the temple are closed, even God is behind The Wall”
Roneet mohanty
EDITOR at STIMULUS INDIA !
