RAHUL ’’THE WALL’’ DRAVID
----------------------------------------------
’’ Special thanks ’’
Special thanks to all the members of Mouthshut for supporting me this much. MS has included my name also in the star writer list. I am happy. But it doesn’t make any difference. Makes me even more nervous to have been included in the list with other famous members like Sakshi, Rajesh, Sneha etc. Thank you for all your support. I hope I can be up to the mark.
’’ Introduction ’’
I am having a good fever. So not in a mood for any argument. That is why I picked the great player, Rahul Dravid , for today’s review. I am very sure that none of you will have any argument on the greatness of the player.
Rahul is one of the best in the country . And he shines in the virtues of team spirit, dedication, humility etc. Above all Rahul Dravid will always be known as the best gentleman of the gentleman’s game. No wonder ICC conferred upon him the title of the ICC Best Player 2004.
’’ The gentleman underneath the player ’’
For all those who have would like to wish Dravid a happy birthday, call him on Jan 11. Don’t know his number? Well! You could always ask me in the comments section. Anyway, it was that day in 1973 that Rahul was born at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. You wouldn’t be too interested in his early years, do you?
’’Well! Who is the new guy? What a perfect technique!’’
April 3, 1996 . The India v/s Sri Lanka match in Singapore witnessed the birth of a new player in the international scene. He had a perfect technique. But his one day debut was not phenomenal or anything. It was over time that Dravid became an indispensable part of the one day team. He is the sheet anchor player in the side. No matter which batsman gets out and goes back to the dressing room, Dravid would be out there to fight it out for all the overs he can.
June 20, 1996. Rahul Dravid in his test debut . And a very good one, as he became the 25th player in the history of the game to score a 90 plus score in his debut . But he was very unlucky to be caught just 5 runs short of his maiden test century. But the performance was enough for the whole world to notice the skills and the technique, and everyone knew that Dravid would be the most valuable test player over the years.
’’ The wall ’’
It is for his performance in the tests that Rahul has been nicknamed the wall. He just stays there no matter what the bowlers throw at him. He scores of the bad bowls, and gives full respect to the good ones . Did I use the word ’’he stays there?’’ silly me. For it too light a word. There have been performances where Dravid stood for 2 and a half days at a stretch, scored a double century, and the very next day, came out and scored yet another century.
I always wonder how he gets this immense concentration to just go on. But his face reveals the secret that it’s no easy task. He talks to himself, he scolds himself, punishes himself, all for missing a ball that could have ended his run. If this is not patriotism and dedication, I don’t know what is?
Rahul Dravid now averages 57.86 in tests, the second highest average in the history of the game. The only player above him is the legend, Don Bradman . Also unlike any Indian batsman, he averages more abroad than in his home nation. With a highest score of 270 runs, the most number of double centuries, 20 centuries and 36 fifties , the figures are well beyond impressive. But does not speak of the team spirit that the player has.
’’ Dravid in one day matches- it’s like a lancer- evolving all the way ’’
During his very early years , Dravid had a weakness, the very fact his technique was as perfect as described in the book meant that he scored at a lesser pace than was needed. But Dravid sealed his place in the side for the sheet anchor role. He would be the one to stay out the fifty overs while all the other batsmen around him where to score in a jiffy.
With hard work, things were changing. Dravid now scores at a very respectable pace and he has an overall strike rate of 70.13 in one dayers. This shows that of late he has had a strike rate nearing eighty. Also he has the record for the second fastest fifty , and would you believe that? I had the pleasure of seeing that match. There were no violent shots. Just Dravid timing the ball to the fence each and every time. Such is the caliber of the man.
Though many believed that Dravid would not stay in the one- day side for long, he has written his own fate, and now after 252 matches , he has 8134 runs in the pocket with an average of 40.06 . He also has 10 centuries and 59 fifties and a highest score of 153 .
’’ Rahul Dravid- the best team player in the side ’’
No one can disagree on the fact. There is no other senior player in the side who would remain quiet on being dropped to lower position, being juggled about the batting order, asked to play different roles, asked to wear the keeping gloves, and also to stay out there for as long as he can. I saw in one of the recent games that Dravid was sent out at the 7th position. But then also, he was the one to finish of the game, in grand style.
He has only 10 centuries to his name, which in no way speak of his caliber . This happens because of his position in the batting order . The only way he gets to take a big hundred is when the top order batsmen fail completely on a fiery pitch and it?s left to Dravid.
I feel that Dravid can be of best use to the side at the no.3 or no.4 position and not no.5. What do you guys think? Let us have a discussion in the comments section
’’ The always in-form batsman ’’
With Dravid, you never hear that he is out of form and not performing. No one cares how he maintains his play all the year round, no matter where in the world. Its all hard work, intense concentration, and total dedication to the game.
’’ The best gentleman in the side ’’
Rahul Dravid is so humble in his behavior. He doesn’t make any aggressive press conference, doesn’t make a fuss about his plays, doesn’t complain of poor captaincy or nothing. But tries his best to do his best.
’’ Rahul is so difficult a topic to write on ’’
Boy o Boy! I can’t stop writing . There are so many things to say. But I guess where there is a beginning there is an end.
THANK YOU FOR READING
PLEASE RATE AND COMMENT ON THE REVIEW.