Rahul Dravid- The man for all seasons

 June 20^th –June 26^th, 1996 an elegant , studious and a very likeable  young man debuts for the Indian Cricket Team in the Lords Test Match Against England and is on the wisp of an international century and misses it by 5 runs after nicking it to the wicket keeper. Enter Rahul Dravid, who forges and creates a solid Partnership with the Indian Cricket Team. Rahul established himself at the vanguard of a new , defiant  generation that were no longer easy beats away from home. Rahul as a number 3 bat for India was the cement that held the foundation firm while the other flair players expressed themselves. He has faced the brunt of many a new ball bowler innumerable times when the openers have gone cheaply. Rahul Dravid at the crease is like a skilled surgeon in an operation theatre who goes about his work with surgical precision while the other flair players are given the space and solititude to create their own path. Rahul has played a stellar role in many an Indian victory especially overseas ranging from the overcast conditions in England to the hard bouncy wickets in Australia. Dravid is the current world record holder for the highest percentage (%) contributions of runs scored in matches won under a single captain where the captain had won more than 20 tests. Rahul Dravid was one of the few Indian Players who could play all the strokes in the book and in all kinds of conditions. He did not have the flair or the flourish of the other players but he did match it with his temperament and his ability to grind the opposition down with his high levels of concentration and bat for long hours which was the critical requirements in test Cricket. One of the many a watershed moments for Rahul Dravid would be the big superhuman innings played in Kolkotta in 2001 with VVS Laxman for company against the Aussies who were in search for their much discussed “final frontier” to produce one of the greatest comeback victories In the history of the Game. Rahul Dravid with his quiet understated elegance and confidence gave the game of test Cricket a number 3 batsman who could excel in all conditions. He has created the template for the classical Batsman and what one could achieve with high powers of focus, determination and discipline.   Finally do try to you tube the “2011 Bradman oration” which Rahul delivered during India’s dismal tour to Australia in 2011-2012. Dravid spoke in a way that mirrored the occasion. There were well thought out, in sight-ful observations like many of Rahul’s magical strokes for India in test Matches.

Love,Life,Luck and Laughter

Shekhar Vijayan