Ed Smith once wrote of Rahul Dravid, "In years to come, perhaps too late, we may realise what we have lost: the civility, craft and dignity that Dravid brought to every cricket match in which he played." This was right after Dravid pulled the curtains on a stupendous cricketing career that saw him become the game's most prolific No.3. An out and out gentleman, most felt Dravid would never fit the bill when it comes to One Day Internationals. He proved everyone wrong by amassing more than 10000 ODI runs, to go with the distinction of donning gloves in their epic Natwest Trophy win followed by the 2003 World Cup campaign where India made it to the finals. If Dravid had to perform rain-dance on the ground to help his team win, he wouldn't have flinched a moment before attempting it, such was his dedication and commitment. The craft, civility and dignity are still intact as we see him play one last innings of competitive cricket. Leading Rajasthan is no less a pain for a man who was cut out for the most adverse of challenges. Dravid has to lead a team of limited resources, but he has done it with style and panache.
Quarter of the way, Rajasthan find themselves on top of the pile. Tough games are waiting for them but if their showing against Mumbai is anything to go by, they are in red hot form. He is a man who had lost out to his more flamboyant colleagues, all through his career, much like the strength of a wall fades into the background to highlight a colourful graffiti. But the 40 year old, is still a vital cog in the Rajasthan outfit, delivering with the bat as much as he is with his thinking cap, not to mention the safe hands that continue to pursue the touch of leather in spite of the wear and tear over the years. Dravid's scores this season read 65(51), 17(20), 54(48) and 9(12). Two half centuries in four outings isn't bad returns by any stretch of imagination, considering players drawing a pay-cheque four times as big as his, are warming the bench. Shaun Tait, one of their star foreign players, backs Dravid to take the opening slot, where he has scored more than 800 runs already. Dravid though continues to be flexible taking No.3 to help build a base whenever required. The two half centuries were typical Dravid master-pieces, as he continues to show youngsters the way. One of them came in a losing cause; nevertheless the quality of the strokes still has his class etched on them. He has even managed to send the ball out of the park a few times this season; he is a man who can adapt, who has always adapted if convinced it was the best thing for his team.
As a captain, Dravid has pulled one rabbit after another, the right ruse paying the right dues. Kevon Cooper has been his go-to man, winning him two tight matches, including one against defending champions, Kolkata. Against Mumbai, he dropped himself down the order to make sure the tempo was kept up. Pointed out by many naysayers as 'shying away', Dravid's tactic won the match for him, after Mumbai were set a target that seemed out of reach right from the first delivery. His decision to open with two spinners was a master-stroke, pegging Mumbai back from the very first over. Ever the person to dole out credit to others, the self-deprecating gentleman calls his match-winning knock against Delhi lucky while asserting that other teams wouldn't like playing them owing to his team's competitive and fighting spirit. Chandila's apt remarks summarise the status Dravid holds in the team. "Rahul Dravid sir is like God for me. He just placed his hands on my head before the first over and said, 'Ajit, you will bowl well. Just be confident when you are bowling and the rest will take care of itself.' Those words were in my head as I went to bowl," he said after his match-winning strikes against Mumbai.
It is very hard to dislike Dravid even in T20 where he was meant to look out of place. The purity of the man just doesn't come out as well in gaudy blue. Yet, he is making a mark, leading a team of young Indians, who will surely come out the richer for experience. He doesn't mince words, even now, pointing out that sporting pitches are better for cricket compared to 180-190 tracks. He admits to having his heart-beat go up, even now, even after facing epic clashes at world stage against the world's best teams. The team man that he is, he will always name every single contributor missing out on himself. He points out that demoting himself isn't a big deal and that if a wicket fell early, he would have walked out. That statement right there is the hallmark of a great cricketer, the man who avoids limelight, the blitz of boundary hits on a good batting strip but is ready to walk out in a crisis. Rahul Dravid hasn't changed much over the years and to quote a popular dialogue from Dil Chahtha hai, "It is hard to improve upon perfection."
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