Cricket is a gentlemen’s game and Rahul Sharad Dravid is one of the best gentlemen. Patience, class, and technique is what defines Rahul Dravid. He has the best attitude and amazing commitment toward his favorite sport. Watching him bat has always been a delightful experience. All his fans appreciated his patience in batting This inspiring cricketer had been a role model for many not just as a sportsman but also as a human being.
Rahul Dravid was called the Indian wall and this name was given to him for his spectacular batting performance. A few of his finest cricket techniques include foot defense and square cuts.
| Born: 11th January 1973 | Nationality: Indian |
| Years Active: (1996–2012) | Birth Place: Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
| Height: 5 ft 11 in | Role: Former Indian Captain & Wicket-keeper |
| Batting Style: Right-hand batsman | Nickname: The Great Wall, Jammy, Mr. Dependable |
Both his parents were working. Rahul Dravid’s mother was a teacher at Bangalore's University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, while his father worked at the renowned jam brand -‘Kissan’. This was the reason why Rahul’s nickname was Jammy. He has a younger sibling-Vijay.
Born in a Brahmin family (Indore, Madhya Pradesh), he was his parent’s favorite son. He completed his schooling at St. Joseph's Boys High School in Bangalore, Karnataka. After completing high school, he did his graduation from St. Joseph's College of Commerce in Bengaluru. Luckily, he got selected for the cricket team while pursuing his MBA at St. Joseph's College of Business Administration.
He started playing cricket at the early age of 12. He played Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 while representing Karnataka.
He finally got the chance on April 3, 1996, and made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka. This match was held in Singapore for Singer Cup. He replaced Vinod Kambli in the match. Unfortunately, he was unable to impress as he only scored 3 runs in that match and got bowled by Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Later his test debut was against England at Lord’s where he scored 95 runs in his debut innings.
He was called a slow batsman and this was the reason he struggled to become a part of the ODI team. This criticism was overcome by him and he was in his best form in the 1999 World Cup. Having 461 runs under his belt, he was the highest hitter of the tournament.
He is listed in fourth place as the highest scorer of test cricket. Rahul Dravid was the first player to hit a century against every Test-playing nation in 2004.
He was never out on a duck during a test match in all 286 matches. During a match, he was there on the pitch for approximately 44152 minutes and this is the highest time someone has spent on the field during a match. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid together scored 6920 runs, and this is fortunately the highest partnership in Test cricket between two batters.
During ICC awards presentation (2004), he was the ‘Player of the Year’.
Ball tampering incident
This was one of the biggest controversies. Rahul Dravid was found guilty of ball tampering while playing ODI with Zimbabwe. He had put a lozenge on the shiny side of the ball while ICC code of conduct doesn’t allow the bowler to apply anything besides sweat on the ball.
IPL spot-fixing
In the 2013 IPL, a spot-fixing scandal came into the limelight where Rahul Dravid led Rajasthan Royals. Players like Ajit Chandila, Ankeet Chavan, and S Sreesanth were involved. But being the captain of the team, Rahul had to face a lot of questions.
Rahul was average as an Indian captain. He led India in 25 tests winning 8 and losing 6 of them. Men in blue won 42 out of 79 one-day international games under him. The team’s debacle at one of the most important international cricket tournaments, the 2007 World Cup, was one of the lowest points in Dravid’s captaincy career.
Rahul Dravid was one the best former players who played at the number 3 spot. Here is the list of his records:
Highest balls faced
As an amazing batsman, he has a record of facing the maximum number of deliveries in Test cricket. He has always performed exceptionally well against all the bowlers. This is the hallmark of someone who loves what he does.
Most catches in Test cricket
He holds the record for maximum catches in tests as he has taken 210 catches and this feat is the highest by any non-wicket-keeper.
Best consecutive ODI innings without scoring a duck
He is one of those remarkable cricketers who made a mark in ODI having a record of 120 innings without getting out on zero ever.
In 2011, Rahul Dravid announced his retirement as he played the last test match against Australia in January 2012.
In August 2011, Jammy declared his retirement from all international and first-class cricket whether they are ODI’s, T20, and Test matches.
Initially, Dravid was appointed as India A and India U-19 team coach. Under his mentorship, India finished as runners-up in the 2016 edition of the 2016 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. A few players that came into the limelight due to him are Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson are some of his finds.
He is also the mentor of the IPL Delhi Daredevils team 2017.
Rahul Dravid was an unsung modest hero. His career reflected his passion for cricket. His action spoke more than his words and he is someone who would hit the most and will simply walk away with a modest smile on your face.
| ODI | |
|---|---|
| Matches: 344 | Run Scored: 10889 |
| Batting Average: 39.17 | Top Score: 153 |
| 100/50: 12/83 | Wickets: |
| T20 | |
|---|---|
| Matches: 1 | Run Scored: 31 |
| Batting Average: 31.0 | Top Score: 31 |
| 100/50: | Wickets: |
| Test | |
|---|---|
| Matches: 164 | Run Scored: 13288 |
| Batting Average: 52.31 | Top Score: 270 |
| 100/50: 36/63 | Wickets: |
Sachin Tendulkar of India fields during the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Group B match between India and the Netherlands at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium on March 9, 2011 in Delhi, India.
Sachin Tendulkar of India raises his bat on scoring his century during the Group B ICC World Cup Cricket match between India and South Africa at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground on March 12, 2011 in Nagpur, India.
Sachin Tendulkar of India hits out watched by wicketkeeper Matt Prior of England during day five of the 4th npower Test Match between England and India at The Kia Oval on August 22, 2011 in London, England.
Sachin Tendulkar reach the iconic landmark of 100 international centuries against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in 2012
Sachin's first Test century
Sachin Tendulkar’s dream to hold the World Cup in his hands and in 2011 it finally happened.
