Rahul Dravid : A New Profile by Raghav Gautam :-)

An Introduction: What Rahul Dravid is Today

Some are born great, a few others attain greatness. In a few ways, the second is greater than the first. Rahul Sharad Dravid belongs to the same category. He has worked hard for everything he got, a Test Cap after playing five Ranji seasons consistently, an ODI call after having good outings in List-A and A tours, a recall to ODI team after getting dropped, a move up to number 3 in Tests as opposed to 7 where he batted in debut series, captaincy of Team India after being a successful deputy to Sourav Ganguly for years, an ODI recall in 2009 after being dropped unceremoniously, getting to feature in an advertisement campaign with famous sportsmen like Roger Federer (greatest tennis player), Tiger Woods (best golfer), Thierry Henry (one of the finest strikers) for Gillette, making it into MCC Panel, are a few notable achievements.

Rahul Dravid is a big man today. But his feet are on ground, very firm. He had said once 'fans are okay as long as they don't invade privacy'. Never the one to forget his roots while chasing success, he is the ideal role-model for kids wanting to play cricket, as said by Sachin Tendulkar during a book release. But it isn't really limited to cricket. If you want to do anything in life, but aren't as talented as others, Rahul Dravid provides the ideal example. An example of why 'practice makes the man perfect' still holds true, and why you don't need to fly in air to become big, rather you need to grow in stature.

The Humble and Hard Working Beginning

The roots of what we see today had been set in early days for Rahul. His principal backed him when his parents were worried about his academic career. While not having enough time to read, he had some of the most time utilizing techniques which would give Robin Sharma's book a run for their money. He practiced hard, went to school whenever he could. Had to miss a lot of classes, but didn't fall behind academically ever. He had certain habits like studying even when he was aboard an over-crowded bus. He took special care of fitness, with the orthodox methods, and even now is arguable fittest Indian cricketer.

He worked hard for his cricket, and probably harder not giving up on academics. It can be deduced from the fact that for cricket, he never really left his academics, until he had made his mark. He is a student still. He doesn't mind learning. He is probably one of the very few true optimists who would find positive out of everything, and try to imbibe those positives. He is still close to his roots, to his basic teachings.

Early Career

He was born on January 11th 1973 at Indoor, Madhya Pradesh to Sharad and Pushpa Dravid. Cricket and daily life administration ran in his blood probably due to his parents. Sharad Dravid took to cricket due to his elder brother, Col KV Dravid who played big cricket during those times, while Sharad Dravid played till university level. While Pushpa Dravid enrolled for two courses at a time, doing them both nicely, probably sowing seeds of ideal time management skills in her son.
 

Keki Tarapore was the first real coach for Rahul Dravid. His contribution to Rahul's career is immense. He had a continued good run in the domestic and A-tours, while having a few lows. Early in his days, he had developed reputation as someone who is difficult to get out. He tried wicket-keeping when nobody was a wicket-keeper in his college team, and this attribute helped team India, notably in the 2003 World Cup. He also tried his hand at bowling, and was successful especially in one of the A-tours.

Into the Team

He debuted for Indian ODI team on April 3, 1996, shortly after 1996 World Cup. He debuted for the Test team on June 20th in the same year. While his Test career was successful right from the beginning, with a few lows, and a long time for his first century when he kept on making fifties but not able to convert them, he had a kind of disappointing start to ODI career. He was typecast soon as a Test specialist, and therefore, he had to fight hard to be back in team.

GR Vishwanath, the then chairman of selectors had warned him saying it as his last chance, because he didn't want people to call it a biasness giving chances to a state mate. That chance was enough for him, as he went on to become mainstay of middle order, along with Azharuddin and Jadeja in the ODI team. He was most successful batsman in 1999 World Cup, while had a good 2000, in these two years, he scored 6 ODI hundreds, 2 of them in back-to-back matches in 1999 World Cup, only second after Mark Waugh to do that.

His Test career hit a low in 1999, starting from a tour to Australia, by when he was the mainstay of the middle order. He had a few disappointing games when he struck his first double hundred followed by a fifty in the second innings, both unbeaten, against Zimbabwe at Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi to end his run drought. From then, he never had a bad phase until 2007.

In ODIs however, he was supposedly retained on taking the gloves on insistence of Sourav Ganguly while selectors were keen on dropping him. Sounds awkward when he was the best middle order batsman and was more successful than any other in the Indian team during those two years (other than openers Sachin and Ganguly). He scored almost 3500 runs with 6 hundreds and 22 fifties during that period, second only to Sourav Ganguly in terms of runs, and third to Sourav and Sachin in terms of average. He also was India's mainstay in 1999 World Cup.

While he continued to succeed in both the formats from then, the most important points in career were England Series in England, Australia series in India and then Australia, New Zealand Series in New Zealand, West Indies Series in West Indies. In Tests, there was never ever a doubt on his value except for the one low in 1999. He hit purple patches quite often. It might be like if you look Earth from outside, it looks blue cause of 70% presence of water. Same can be said about Rahul’s career. And here, both Tests and ODIs are combined.

 

What has been remarkable about Rahul Dravid is his ability to maximize his talent. The Big Bang theory is evident in his case. The beginning is small, but some burst happens that all keep moving apart and going big, while the center is most powerful. The center comprises the dreams, the humble beginnings, and the hard work, while the growth shows his career growth.

The Final Frontier: The RD’X’

Rahul Dravid got an X factor due to his finishing, and sometimes hitting skills which left even specialist hitters wonder. It started in 2003 with second fastest fifty for India off 23 balls, then went on time and again when needed, reached a peak when he scored 92 runs in less than 20 over left off 63 balls, and then came the IPL. While his team fell like nine pins, he showed the world what a Test Specialist can do. It continued in 2009 IPL where he had the purple cap for a considerable time before he went home as his wife was expecting. Then came back and took RCB to finals. These were few of the instances that made RD, RDX.

2009 IPL handed him a comeback to the ODI squad due to the young brigade’s inability to play short balls in South Africa. He did wonderfully well, satisfied his role, especially in one of the games when he opened with Sachin. Even in the Champions Trophy match against Pakistan, he was there till a better batsman in his minds, Harbhajan Singh, got him run out.

Personal Life: A Boy Next Door

He still visits the same barber for the same haircut he used to have since his college days. He used to drive same Maruti 800 until a few years back. He loves music, and reading. He spends time with his family. He married Dr. Vijeta Pendharkar, a surgeon from Nagpur on May 4^th, 2003. He has two sons, Samit Dravid born on 11^th October 2005 and Anvay Dravid born on April 27^th, 2009. It hasn’t been often that Dravid’s family has been exposed to unnecessary media coverage which shows how he wants his personal life to be, personal. In fact Anvay hasn’t been shown to the media yet. Such is his personal life.

High Points

Top 5 Test Series

These are only top 5 series according to my observation. Many of you will point out Australia in India as one, but for me, performing away from home was one of the main criteria, and when I came to think of it, that series didn’t quite fit in. As also, innumerable others. You may have a different view. A note-worthy point is that all these are away series against different opposition.

1) India in West Indies 2006

Being a captain, he led from the front. He was the player of the series. Brian Lara said after this series, that ‘If I have to put anyone to bat for my life, it’ll be either Kallis or Dravid’. He was brilliant throughout series, and especially in last test when he scored twin fifties on a minefield of a pitch where all including Lara failed. He handed India its first series win in West Indies after 1971.

2) India in Australia 2002-03

He was the Man of the Series. It was the series when after 22 years; India had won a Test on Aussies soil. He lead India, well supported by Laxman, Agarkar, Kumble, and Sachin, to gift India this win after making a double hundred in the first innings while India were buried under a huge score of around 550. And then, when Agarkar and Sachin ran past the Australian batting order, he remained unbeaten with a 70 odd in the second innings, with Agarkar, the other hero of the match at the other end. He was tremendous throughout the series.

3) India in England 2002

This was a magical series. He was yet again the player of the series, jointly with Michael Vaughan after a drawn series. It was one of Dravid’s best series, especially when the conditions weren’t the best. It was his second series in England after a successful debut series, where he scored his first double ton away from home in the form of 217. It was said that he could only have been run out in that innings. He was simply brilliant throughout the series.

4) India in South Africa 1996-97

This series saw him hit his first hundred after a series of fifties. A hundred at Johannesburg where light stopped India from winning the game was a brilliant effort. Especially when it wasn’t the Johannesburg of the T-20 era. He almost won the game, along with Mohd. Azharuddin scoring a brilliant 148 when he was the last man out.

5) India in New Zealand 1998-99

India had lost the first Test of the 2 Test Series. He had a bad test. India was down, and Simoun Doul, along with Dion Nash and Chris Cairns were on fire. Those were the days when New Zealand had a terrific home advantage, and India bounced back into the series with the help of Rahul Dravid who scored a terrific 190 at Hamilton in first innings, and followed it up with an unbeaten 100 at a quick pace chasing target of 415. India didn’t win the match, New Zealand won the series. But it wasn’t won the way it was thought will be. India showed a fight, lead by Rahul Dravid.

Top ODI Performances

These are a few of the pinnacles of his ODI career. It’s difficult naming the best, simply because his ODI career has been a dedication to team, and at times you watch his 30s and 40s and say they are definitely match winning innings.

1)  World Cup 1999

It was one of the pinnacles for the gentleman who was told to be a Test Specialist. He was clearly the best batsman of the tournament, scoring almost in every match. He scored two back-to-back tons, only second after Mark Waugh to do so.

2)World Cup 2003

Again, World Cup brought out the best in him. It was a brilliant attempt. When you look at it, he didn’t get to bat against two easy opponents. He was made to bat lower. But when the situation was tough, he completed the act of rescuing team. The crisis man was there at the crisis. Also, he gave momentum at the end in a few innings. He was also the wicket-keeper, and very safe behind the stumps.

3) Natwest Series 2002

It is famous for Sourav Ganguly’s bare dare reply to bare-dare act of Andrew Flintoff, and for a very famous partnership between two young chaps, Yuvraj Singh and Mohd. Kaif in the final. However, there was one man who performed in every game (that is except the final), and brought the series to a level before Yuvi and Kaif stole it from the English, and it was Rahul Dravid.

4)23 ball 50, 34 ball 58, and 63 ball 92

These 3 innings in particular showed why Rahul Dravid is clearly the most adjustable batsman. And why he being typecast into a Test Specialist is more of an exaggeration. He played an excellent finisher at times, and 34 balls 58 and 63 balls 92 had Dhoni, the current best finisher seeming like crawling at the other end. As of 23 balls 50, it is second fastest fifty by an Indian, currently jointly shared by Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag. RD is the odd one out there, anyone will say. Well, he plays according to the needs, and that he has proved time and again.

5) ODI Top Score 153

Sachin at the other end made his the then best 186, while Rahul Dravid also made his best of 153. He was also the wicket-keeper of the team, and 153 was the highest score by a wicket-keeper until Dhoni broke it scoring 183. While all eyes were on Sachin, as usually is, Dravid scored the only 150+ winning score where the scorer didn’t get the man of the match.

Fielding and Catching: The Smart Mover

When he entered the arena, he took some stunners at close-in positions, also having the presence of mind at times to get some brilliant run-outs, though not spectacular looking. One example is when he was fielding at short leg, and made a quick throw to Nayan Mongia before shifting the ball from his left to right arm. Later, he took to wicket-keeping in ODIs, and Slip-fielding in Tests. He has the maximum catches by a non-keeper in Tests. Mark Waugh describes him as someone who is not a natural athlete, but definitely a smart mover, and one who has a concentration unmatched in the game.

Awards and Recognition :

1998: Arjuna award
1999: Ceat Cricketer of the 1999 World Cup
2000: Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2000
2004: Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy Winner (Awarded for ICC Player of the Year)
2004: Padma Shri
2004: ICC Test Player of The Year, MTV Youth Icon of the Year for 2004
2006: Captain of the ICC's Test Team


Test Match - Man Of The Series Awards :

#	Series	Season	Series Performance
1	India in England Test Series	2002	602 ; 10 Catches
2	Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India in Australia Test Series)	2003/04	619 Runs ; 4 Catches
3	India in West Indies Test Series	2006	496 Runs ; 8 Catches

Test Match -  Man Of The Match Awards :

S No	Opponent	Venue	Season	Match Performance
1	South Africa	Wanderers, Johannesburg	1996/97	1st Innings: 148 (21x4); 1 Catch 2nd Innings: 81 (11x4); 1 Catch
2	West Indies	Bourda, Georgetown	1996/97	1st Innings: 92 (8x4, 1x6)
3	England	Headingley, Leeds	2002/03	1st Innings: 148 (23x4) 2nd Innings: 3 Catches
4	England	The Oval, London	2002/03	1st Innings: 217 (28x4); 3 Catches
5	New Zealand	Motera, Ahmedabad	2003/04	1st Innings: 222 (28x4, 1x6); 2 Catches 2nd Innings: 73 (6x4); 1 Catch
6	Australia	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide	2003/04	1st Innings: 233 (23x4, 1x6); 1 Catch 2nd Innings: 72* (7x4); 2 Catches
7	Pakistan	Rawalpindi	2003/04	1st Innings: 270 (34x4, 1x6) 2nd Innings: 1 Catch
8	Pakistan	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	2004/05	1st Innings: 110 (15x4, 1x6); 1 Catch 2nd Innings: 135 (15x4)
9	West Indies	Sabina Park, Kingston	2006	1st Innings: 81 (10x4) 2nd Innings: 68 (12x4); 1 Catch

ODI MATCHES :

Man Of The Match Awards :

S No	Opponent	Venue	Season	Match Performance
1	Pakistan	Toronto	1996	46 (93b, 3x4)
2	South Africa	Kingsmead, Durban	1996/97	84 (94b, 5x4, 1x6); 1 Catch
3	New Zealand	Taupo	1998/99	123* (123b, 10x4, 1x6)
4	New Zealand	Eden Park, Auckland	1998/99	51 (71b, 5x4, 1x6)
5	West Indies	Toronto	1999	77 (87b, 6x4, 2x6); 4 Catches
6	Zimbabwe	Bulawayo	2001	72* (64b, 7x4, 1x6)
7	Sri Lanka	Edgbaston, Birmingham	2002	64 (95b, 5x4, 1x6); 1 Catch
8	UAE	Dambulla	2004	104 (93b, 8x4); 1 Catch, 1 Stumping
9	West Indies	Dambulla	2005	52* (65b, 7x4), 1 Catch
10	Sri Lanka	Vidharba CA Ground, Nagpur	2005/06	85 (63b, 8x4, 1x6); 1 Catch
11	South Africa	Mumbai	2005/06	78* (106b, 10x4)
12	Pakistan	Abu Dhabi	2005/06	92 (116b, 10x4); 1 Catch
13	West Indies	Sabina Park, Kingston	2006	105 (102b, 10x4, 2x6); 1 Catch
14	England	Edgbaston	2007	92* (63b, 7x4, 1x6)

 

Biographies

Rahul Dravid has 2 biographies written on his career:

  Rahul Dravid - A Biography written by Vedam Jaishankar (ISBN 817476481X). Publisher: UBSPD Publications. Date: January 2004.

  The Nice Guy Who Finished First written by Devendra Prabhudesai. Publisher: Rupa Publications. Date: November 2005.

Endorsments :

  Reebok: 1996 - present

 Pepsi: 1997 present

  Kissan: Unknown

  Castrol: 2001 - present

  Hutch: 2003

  Karnataka Tourism: 2004

  Max Life: 2005 - present

  Bank of Baroda: 2005 - present

  Citizen: 2006 - present

  Skyline Construction: 2006 - present

  Sansui: 2007 - present

  Gillette: 2007 - present

Social Commitments:

  Children's Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA)

  UNICEF Supporter and AIDS Awareness Campaign

NOTE :  This Article is Written By RAGHAV GAUTAM & Edited By SATHYA.

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