Rahul Dravid: Class Personified

The thought of writing something on Rahul Dravid infiltrated through my mind a number of times since the day he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. But I postponed the implementation of this thought for some time by gulling my mind. The most interior part of my heart wished Rahul does a Shahid Afridi and calls off his retirement plan. That hasn't happened, yet. And now the hopes are fading. Not just because he is adjusting to commentating and other things, but only for the kind of a man he is. Once he decides something, no one on the earth can shake his determination.

Rahul has always believed that he was not a gifted player as most of his contemporaries including Sachin and Lara were. Does that make him any lesser? Or it makes him better? One needs more concentration, determination and self-belief that he would eventually do well, when he is not gifted. (Not taking anything away from the gifted ones)

Dravid has been a great cricketer and there is no doubting that statement. He indeed is. Scoring more than 10,000 runs in both, Test matches as well as ODIs is a great achievement itself. Some might argue that numbers can be manipulated. Though, Rahul's greatness as a cricketer cannot be questioned after looking at the occasions when he scored big. More centuries away from India than on the home turf. Many on the bouncy pitches against formidable bowling attacks where most batsmen falter.

As a cricketer, his best shots were the drives through cover region and on drives off yorker length deliveries and the cut shot. I am no cricketer. Watching Dravid play was alike gazing at The Last Supper by Da Vinci, being absolutely clueless of how anyone could have done it so well. The best I can do is appreciate his shots and game. To me, Rahul is not just a cricketer who scored big runs and made a lot of money. He is more of an inspiration whom I feel, I can look upon every time I need a push. There is a lot I have learnt from this cricketing legend. 

He was declared unfit for ODIs as he played a little slow at the very start of his career. It was rejection in the most unclear terms. But he wasn't dejected. On the contrary, he chose to sweat in the field and toil for betterment. He improved his strike rate, increased his range of shots and came back to ODIs to score more than 10,000 runs in his ODI career. This is inspirational. 

Sachin was already a star when Dravid made his debut. Comparisons were obvious. But being unmoved by such media comparisons was the challenge. Dravid never compared himself to Sachin. He would prefer to work harder in the practice sessions than being involved in such useless analysis. This is what eventually paid off. He created his own aura alongside Sachin and never bothered about being undermined by the star power that Sachin possessed. In our lives, we occasionally get entangled in such trivial issues and mess our lives. Dravid should be an inspiration in this area. How simple would our lives be without such comparisons? And Dravid also shows that greatness is achieved without these comparisons and complexes but by sheer hard work.

Cool temperament. One quality that can undermine or nullify any shortcoming of oneself. Firstly, one can concentrate on the job at hand without being distracted by unavailing issues. Secondly, one can gracefully face the rough times and failures. Dravid had perfect temperament to be a great cricketer. The most easily imaginable situation is Dravid coming out to bat at no. 3 just after a very important wicket has fallen. Fielders are brought closer. Three slips, a gully, short cover, short mid on, forward short leg and the fast bowler steaming in. Sledging, or at the least, morale lowering chats among the fielders should be commonly going around. To stay calm is the only key one has. One losing temper in such a situation, may risk the game his team is playing for. Dravid didn't lose temper. He started loving the job of leaving those deliveries outside the off stump and just let his bat speak on a poor delivery. And his bat spoke volumes. 

A human expecting the circumstances to suit his emotions or aspirations would be inviting misery. It is his job to suit the circumstances prevailing. Dravid just retained this in his mind. He suited to every condition. He would accept the job as a wicketkeeper when India had no specialist wicketkeeper- batsman. He would accept the job of captaincy being wary of how that could harm his personal game. He would come out to open the innings when India fell short of a good opening batsman. And it was not just that he tolerated these conditions. He enjoyed them and worked hard to do well in each of these jobs.

Dravid was perennially inspirational. One last thing was left to be done. That was his retirement. He had a fabulous series in England a few months ago. Then he went to Australia with the team but had a poor run. It was not the best time for him to quit. A few home series were lined up in 2012, which would have given Dravid his chance of retiring on a high. But this man was determined. He felt it was his time to hang his boots and he did so. There was no looking back.

The last classy batsman retired from cricket. There won't be any more of those clinical innings with the most classy shots. Cricket would always miss Rahul. But he shall remain an example for numerous youngsters in numerous facets of life and in numerous ways. 

Thank You.