Yes, Rahul Dravid has for long been a lonely crusader, a fish out of water in a sport once made infamous by Body-line and now played with the mantra of sledge for a sledge.
He was an ever dependable player, who always stood like a wall in adversity. Ironically, during his playing days, despite his heroics, he as the unsung hero of Indian Cricket.
Though his patient century, during the mammoth partnership with VVS Laxman, during the Calcutta Test Match against Australia, scripted history in 2001, Dravid did not get much credit. It was branded as Laxman & Harbajan Test. In any case, this Historic win changed the Indian Cricket scenario. Even now, as a Coach, though he had taken our team to the finals of WTC and ODI World Cup finals in 2023, still he was found wanting. Thankfully, he had succeeded in his third and final attempt, thanks to Rohit Sharma & his boys, who won the T-20 World Cup Tournament title and enhanced Dravid’s image as a Coach. He is the real hero of Indian Cricket and a thorough Gentleman Cricketer. We wish him a peaceful retired life.
Vinay Mahadevan,
Chennai, India