Rahul Dravid, widely hailed as “The Wall” of Indian cricket, is an iconic figure renowned for his impeccable technique, unwavering resilience, and unyielding commitment to the sport. Born on January 11, 1973, in Indore, India, Dravid emerged as one of the most respected and accomplished cricketers of his generation. His elegant batting style combined with an unflinching determination made him a stalwart in the Indian cricketing landscape for over a decade and a half.
Dravid’s illustrious career saw him amass over 13,000 runs in Test cricket, making him one of the highest run-scorers in the format. He also proved his mettle in One Day Internationals, accumulating more than 10,000 runs. Beyond his batting prowess, Dravid’s leadership qualities earned him the captaincy of the Indian cricket team, where he led with integrity and composure. His contributions to the sport extend beyond the field, as he continues to inspire generations of cricketers with his humility, work ethic, and dedication to the game.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rahul Sharad Dravid |
| Nickname | “The Wall” |
| Date of Birth | January 11, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off spin |
| Role | Batsman |
| Test Debut | June 20, 1996 vs. England at Lord’s |
| ODI Debut | April 3, 1996 vs. Sri Lanka in Singapore |
| T20I Debut | June 14, 2011 vs. England in Manchester |
| Test Matches | 164 |
| Test Runs | 13,288 |
| Test Batting Avg. | 52.31 |
| ODI Matches | 344 |
| ODI Runs | 10,889 |
| ODI Batting Avg. | 39.17 |
| Notable Records | – One of the highest run-scorers in Test cricket<br>- One of the highest run-scorers in ODI cricket<br>- Most catches in Test cricket (non-wicketkeeper) |
| Captaincy | Captain of the Indian cricket team from 2005 to 2007 |
| Retirement | Retired from international cricket in March 2012 |
| Post-Retirement | – Coach of the Indian U-19 cricket team<br>- Mentor for various IPL teams |
| Awards | – ICC Player of the Year in 2004<br>- Padma Shri in 2004<br>- Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2000 |
Rahul Dravid is a former Indian cricketer & captain of Indian National Team. He is the current head coach of Indian national team.
He is probably one of the last classical Test match batsmen. Earlier, he was the senior men’s national team, Dravid was the Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and the head coach of the India Under-19 and India A teams.
Under his guidance, under-19 team finished at runners up at U-19 cricket world cup in 2016 & won in 2018.
In the history of cricket, Rahul Dravid scored 24,177 runs in international cricket. He is regarded as one of the greatest batsman in Indian history. He is also known as The Wall & Mr, Dependable.
In 2000, he was named as one of the best five cricketers of the year by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.
In 2004, Rahul Dravid received the Player of the Year and the Test Player of the Year awards at the inaugural ICC awards ceremony. He became the first non-Australian cricketer to deliver the Bradman Oration in Canberra in 2011.
He became the fourth-highest run scorer in test cricket as of 2016. In 2012, he created record for the most catches taken by a non-wicket-keeper player in test cricket with 210.
He is having a record of never getting out for a Golden duck in the 286 Test innings that he played. Currently, Dravid & Sachin Tendulkar are having highest scoring partnership in cricket history with 6920 runs while batting together for India.
In August 2011, declared his retirement from ODIs as well as Twenty20 International (T20I). He announced retirement from international & first-class cricket in March 2012. He appeared as the captain of Rajasthan Royals in 2012 IPL.
Rahul Dravid is honoured with the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan award, India’s fourth and third highest civilian awards respectively.
He joined the GoSports Foundation, Bangalore as a member of their board of advisors. With that, he is mentoring India’s future Olympians and Para Olympians as part of the Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme. Rahul Dravid became the 5th Indian cricketer to be included into ICC Hall of Fame in July 2018.
Rahul Dravid Early & personal life:
Rahul Sharad Dravid was born on 11th January 1973 in a Marathi Brahmin family in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
His father Sharad Dravid was working for a company that makes jams & preservatives. His mother Pushpa was a professor of architecture at the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Bangalore.
He has a younger brother Vijay. Rahul completed his schooling at St. Joseph’s Boys High School, Bangalore and received a degree in commerce from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bangalore. While working towards MBA, he was selected to India’s national cricket team.
Rahul Dravid married Vijeta Pendharkar on 4th May 2003. She is a surgeon from Nagpur. The couple have two children named Samit & Anvay.
Rahul Dravid Domestic career:
At the age of 12, Rahul Dravid embarked on his cricketing journey, showcasing his talent and dedication from a young age. Representing Karnataka at various levels, including Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19, he displayed remarkable skills not only as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper. Dravid’s early exposure to different roles in the game laid a strong foundation for his future success.
In February 1991, Dravid made his debut in the prestigious Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic cricket competition. This marked the beginning of a stellar career that would see him scale great heights in the world of cricket. Dravid’s entry into professional cricket was characterized by determination, discipline, and a hunger for excellence, traits that would define his illustrious career.
His early experiences in domestic cricket not only honed his cricketing abilities but also instilled in him a deep understanding of the game’s nuances and demands. These formative years laid the groundwork for his eventual ascent to international cricket and solidified his reputation as one of the most technically sound and mentally resilient cricketers of his generation.
Rahul Dravid International career:
In 1994, he received his first international call for the last two matches of Wills World Series. Then he went back to the domestic circuit & kept knocking harder.
On 3rd April 1996, Rahul Dravid made his international debut on in an ODI against Sri Lanka in the Singer Cup held in Singapore.
That was immediately after the 1996 World Cup, replacing Vinod Kambli. His test debut was successful in compare to ODI.
Rahul Dravid was selected for Indian squad touring England. On 20th June 1996, finally he made his test debut at Lord’s against England in the second test instead of Sanjay Manjrekar.
He came to bat at 7th number & scored 95 runs. He scored hundred in the next tour against British Universities. He concluded his successful debut series with the average of 62.33 from two test matches.
World Cup Journey Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid’s journey in international cricket is marked by memorable performances and significant milestones. Despite a modest debut in the World Cup against South Africa, where he managed just 13 runs against Zimbabwe, Dravid swiftly showcased his batting prowess in subsequent matches. One of his standout moments came in the 1999 World Cup, where he forged a formidable partnership of 237 runs with Sachin Tendulkar against Kenya at Bristol. This was followed by another record-breaking partnership of 318 runs with Sourav Ganguly.
His skills weren’t confined to limited-overs cricket; during India’s tour of Australia in 1999, Dravid demonstrated his mettle in the longer format by scoring a century against Tasmania in a practice match. He continued to excel in bilateral ODI series, particularly against formidable opponents like South Africa, where he amassed 208 runs at an impressive average of 41.60. Moreover, his contributions weren’t limited to batting alone; Dravid also chipped in with three wickets at an average of 22.66, showcasing his all-round abilities on the field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rahul Dravid stands as a paragon of integrity, resilience, and excellence in the realm of cricket. His illustrious career spanning over a decade and a half is marked by numerous records, remarkable performances, and enduring contributions to the sport. Dravid’s moniker, “The Wall,” encapsulates not only his impregnable defense but also his unyielding determination and commitment to the team’s cause.
Beyond his remarkable batting prowess, Dravid’s leadership qualities shone brightly during his tenure as the captain of the Indian cricket team, where he exemplified grace under pressure and led by example. Even after retirement, Dravid continues to inspire generations of cricketers as a coach, mentor, and role model, imparting invaluable wisdom and nurturing talent.
FAQs
Rahul Dravid is famously known as “The Wall.” This nickname highlights his exceptional defensive skills and ability to withstand prolonged periods at the crease, frustrating bowlers and ensuring stability for the Indian team.
Dravid’s cricketing career is adorned with numerous achievements, including scoring over 13,000 runs in Test cricket and more than 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He holds records for his remarkable batting averages and is recognized as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. Additionally, he has received prestigious awards such as the ICC Player of the Year and Padma Shri.
While Dravid’s batting prowess is legendary, he was also a versatile cricketer who occasionally bowled right-arm off-spin. Moreover, his leadership qualities were evident during his captaincy of the Indian cricket team, where he led with dignity and composure.
Following his retirement from playing cricket, Rahul Dravid has been actively involved in coaching and mentoring. He served as the coach of the Indian Under-19 cricket team, guiding them to World Cup victories. Additionally, he has worked as a mentor for various teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), sharing his expertise and nurturing young talent.
