Thank you Rahul Dravid!

Yesterday 16th September, 2011, Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from one day cricket. Another great cricketer retiring who has done wonders for the Indian cricket side, not to mention, all happily under the shadow of Sachin Tendulkar. While writing this, it actually reminds me of my article on Sourav Ganguly , which apparently is the most popular post in this blog, all time!

 Rahul Dravid is however different than Sourav Ganguly in many ways. Technically, with regards to batting, it seems that Dravid would have worked a lot, and practiced with uncanny patience, to reach the epitome of success, however Sourav Ganguly had this immaculate gift of timing. Also the fact that, Sachin Tendulkar has wonderful hand eye co-ordination(read natural talent) coupled with passion, patience and hard work, he is where he is. 

Rahul Dravid has been The Wall of Indian cricket and we all know that well. There is a general assumption that, there is a good chance, he does not hold a good record, can be easily debated just by looking at his stats. Well, for starters he has third highest number of half centuries (82) in ODIs in world cricket, which is superseded only by Sachin Tendulkar(95) and Inzamam-ul-Haq(83). Well and if you thought he was a slow player in ODIs?...well he did score a 22 ball half century against NewZealand, in Hyderabad in 2003, which is the second fastest fifty by an Indian in ODIs.

I still remember two of his best test knocks. One was the knock of 180 against Australia following on at Eden Gardens in 2001. He and Laxman made merry of an Australian side which was probably one of the best Test side in the world and at their peak. Another noteworthy knock would be the 331 run partnership with Tendulkar against NewZealand at Hyderabad in 1999. 

Rahul Dravid has played remarkable well for the country, and with great attitude and humility. 10,820 runs in over 340 ODIs and 12775 runs from 155 matches speaks volumes, not only of his talent and persistence, but also his humility. Also how can one forget the facts that he was the highest run scorer in the 1999 World Cup in England with 461 runs and probably is the only player who has more percentage of runs away then at home, now how valuable is that?

Rahul Dravid. Thank you for all the wonderful games, Thank you for all the victories, Thank you for making our nation proud! Jai Hind!