Rahul Dravid has retired from international and first-class domestic cricket. He is one of my favourite cricketers ever. I always admired Rahul. Not just as a cricketer but even as a person. He was someone who went about with his job quietly and worked very hard at his job. The perfect gentleman. The wall of Indian cricket. As Harsha Bhogle points out, an era has ended in Indian cricket. With no Rahul at number 3, suddenly the Indian batting line-up looks so much more vulnerable. I will miss you, Rahul.
As Rahul announced his retirement in a press conference in Bangalore, a tear tried to swell up in my eye. It came. But I did not cry. I don't know why. But I felt emotional. I really admired the way this man played the game. He did everything that was asked for from him. He kept wickets. He opened. He batted at the position his team wanted him to. He made way for youth when India started playing T20 and the result - India won the first T20 World Cup. He understood what was needed for the team. What was best for the team. He was the perfect team player. I don't think one can compare the likes of Dravid, Sachin, Laxman, Sehwag. These players are so different in the way they played cricket. Their approaches to the game are so different. Cometh tough times, cometh Dravid, the saviour.
Some people feel sad about Dravid. Sad that he was always under the shadow of something or someone. Under the shadow of Sachin. Under the shadow of Ganguly, while he was the vice-captain. But no. Rahul did his job to perfection. Gave his best to every game. We Indians always admire superstars who are exuberant and people who are extravagant or at least seem to be so. Like Ganguly taking his shirt off at Lord's or Yuvraj or Harbhajan with their pronounced aggression on the field. But some people do what is required without all the hullabaloo. Quiet, unassuming, focussed and dignified, these adjectives embody "Jammy". As Rahul walks into the sunset of his cricketing career I am sure he walks without any regrets, with his head held high. For, he always gave his best on the field and understood his responsibilty in the team like no other. Thank you for everything, Rahul. I love you!
As Rahul announced his retirement in a press conference in Bangalore, a tear tried to swell up in my eye. It came. But I did not cry. I don't know why. But I felt emotional. I really admired the way this man played the game. He did everything that was asked for from him. He kept wickets. He opened. He batted at the position his team wanted him to. He made way for youth when India started playing T20 and the result - India won the first T20 World Cup. He understood what was needed for the team. What was best for the team. He was the perfect team player. I don't think one can compare the likes of Dravid, Sachin, Laxman, Sehwag. These players are so different in the way they played cricket. Their approaches to the game are so different. Cometh tough times, cometh Dravid, the saviour.
Some people feel sad about Dravid. Sad that he was always under the shadow of something or someone. Under the shadow of Sachin. Under the shadow of Ganguly, while he was the vice-captain. But no. Rahul did his job to perfection. Gave his best to every game. We Indians always admire superstars who are exuberant and people who are extravagant or at least seem to be so. Like Ganguly taking his shirt off at Lord's or Yuvraj or Harbhajan with their pronounced aggression on the field. But some people do what is required without all the hullabaloo. Quiet, unassuming, focussed and dignified, these adjectives embody "Jammy". As Rahul walks into the sunset of his cricketing career I am sure he walks without any regrets, with his head held high. For, he always gave his best on the field and understood his responsibilty in the team like no other. Thank you for everything, Rahul. I love you!
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