Page 52 - The Indian EYE 051421

SPORTS MAY 14, 2021 | The Indian Eye 52

WhaT rahul dravid

TaughT Me

ith the World Test What We can learn from
Championship final rahul dravid?
Wapproaching in En-
will
come
Challenges
gland, let us talk about one of throughout life, but as long as
the greatest visiting players to we have the determination to
have batted in England—Ra- face and overcome the obsta-
hul Dravid. cles, things will be get better.

My First Memory of rahul Giving up is not an option but
dravid improving is.
We should always strive
Rahul Dravid, the Wall as he for excellence without sac-
is affectionately known, has rificing morals. Even if we
been my cricketing hero—my do succeed in achieving our
role model for as long as I can
remember. My first memory of goals once or twice, that is not
watching cricket was Dravid’s BroKen cricKet dreAMs enough. Being consistent with
roar and fist celebration in that the process, adapting with
time, repeating the good and
famous 2003 adelaide victory NITESH MATHUR learning from the bad, that is
with a trademark square what matters.
cut to Stuart MacGill after www.brokencricketdreams.com
scoring 233 and 72*. Early
next year, the 2004 Odi series • Even three consecutive sixes gle against Australia. During in the long run, results do
versus Pakistan sealed my on his T20 debut, or shall I days of batting collapses, or not matter as much as the
love for cricket and my awe say, retirement match. in the case of the 2011 tour of
for the dashing wicket-keeper Remarkable. England—an entire series of journey. Finally, as mem-
batsman with sunglasses, as his collapses, we could depend on ber of any company, lead-
image was in those days. the legacy him. Grinding opposition bowl-
Numbers aside, it was how ers down, building partnerships ership group, sports team,
the stats he carried himself on and off after partnerships, and staying or band, interests of the
• 164 Tests and 344 ODIs, 48 in- the field that shone through. in the game were his forte.
ternational centuries, 17-year Whether it was the ability to For the highlight reels, his team always outweigh in-
international career, 10,000+ contribute to victories in tough innings may not be the most dividual glory.
runs in each format overseas conditions, the consis- flamboyant, but probably the
• Most number of catches in tency throughout his career, or most essential. As they say, These lessons can be ap-
Tests the adaptability to suit the needs “When the going gets tough,
• Most balls played in a Test ca- of the team, Dravid was always the tough get going.” plied to any aspect of life, not
reer there. Opening the batting, don- Off the field, mentoring just cricket, and that is why Ra-
hul Dravid is my cricketing role
In England, his Test record ning the gloves to accommo- youngsters in U-19, India A, model. It is time the world looks
even more stellar: date an extra batsman, stepping or the IPL, delivering the Don at Rahul Dravid for inspiration.
• 95 on debut – 1996 away for the youngsters in the Bradman Oration lecture, be- I will leave you with some
• Twice Player of the Series (3 2007 T20 World Cup, and even ing an example of Fair Play
tons each) – 2002 and 2011 bowling handy off-spin, he as Rajasthan Royals’ captain, of my favorite quotes on Rahul
• Last opener to carry his bat in was a perfect team player. and avoiding controversies, Dravid:
England (at The Oval 2011) Navjot Singh Sidhu summa- Dravid’s genuine and graceful “If you really want to see aggres-
• Test series win as a captain – rized it perfectly, “Rahul Drav- demeanor complemented his sion, look into Dravid’s eyes”
2007 id is a player who would walk on skills on the ground. — Matthew Hayden
On the other end of the spec- broken glass if his team asks him The combination of perse-
trum in limited overs: to.” verance and resilience, determi- “The wolf who lived for the
• Highest Run Scorer – 1999 Even in tough phases of his nation and discipline, as well as pack” — Harsha Bhogle
Cricket World Cup career, examples of persever- humility and team-before-self at- “If you can’t get along with Dra-
• 92* (63) – Player of the Match ance and resilience were aplen- titude — that is what Rahul Dra- vid, you’re struggling in life”
performance – 2007 ty, like his 40-ball stay for a sin- vid has taught me. — Brett Lee

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