Cricket is often called a gentleman’s sport. But in the competitive world of modern international cricket gentlemen come few and far between. Rahul Dravid was the most notable exception. The popularity of the Indian number three right-hand bat was such that even those who cheered on any team which played India found themselves secretly hoping that if one Indian batsman got some runs it would be the Wall. This nicknamed was well earned: In the annals of Test cricket only Jacques Kallis of South Africa faced more balls per dismissal. He was no slouch in ODIs either: He stands seventh in the list of highest run-getters in the ODIs with nearly 11,000 runs to his credit.
Since his swashbuckling debut at the Lords in 1996 when he was dismissed only five shy of what would have been a wonderful debut hundred, Dravid never looked back. He was an accomplished player in all forms of the game although he reserved his best for Test cricket. In his 15-and-a-half years in the Indian Test squad, Dravid amassed over 13,000 runs (the second highest tally in Test history) at an average of 52.31. Any way you look at it, Dravid’s numbers are impressive.
Traditionally, Indian batsmen have made oodles of runs on dead pitches at home but struggled dismally abroad. Again, Dravid was the most notable exception to this rule. He averaged more abroad (53.03) than he did at home (52.31). Another equally remarkable stat is that of all the Indian batsmen Dravid averaged the most (65.70) in India’s Test wins abroad.
The Indore-born batsman will go down in history books as an all-time great, no doubt. But it will be for much more that he will be remembered for a long-long time: His majestic cover drive, his catching skills in the slips, his success in both Tests and ODIs; but perhaps the most for his down-to-earth personality and that bewitching smile of his (the glittering front row of teeth capped by a half-wrinkled nose) that must have sent millions of female hearts aflutter and earned him so much affection from cricket lovers around the world.
Dravid’s retirement marks a watershed movement in India’s Test history. At 39, he was almost on par with VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar. Laxman is already rumored to be mulling retirement. Tendulkar, even though his fans might hate to believe cricket will be worth watching without him, could soon follow suit. The first among the famous trio to announce his retirement, the ever-modest Dravid said he was making room for ‘more capable’ next generation. In truth, his are huge shoes to fill. Dravid’s fame stems not only from his vast skills as batsman but also from his longevity at the top. Anyone who has watched the beautiful game understands that some players can never be replaced. Dravid was one of them.
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