The Rahul of all Rahuls

“Rahul” has got to be among the most common names in India. You can’t imagine walking down a street in Delhi, Lucknow or Jaipur, and not running into a Rahul. (Due apologies to all my friends called Rahul. All 37 of you). I have met some remarkable Rahuls. There are also a few famous Rahuls that I have not had the privilege of meeting - The late great RD Burman for example. Among those still around, there are two who come to mind – the one who regularly adorns the front page of all newspapers across the country (Rahul, please become PM/ Rahul not fit to become PM/Is Rahul even his real name? etc etc.) and the one who has regularly adorned the sports section of newspapers across the cricketing world for the last fifteen years – Rahul Dravid.

It was exactly fifteen years ago , 22nd^d of June 1996, when Rahul Dravid walked out to the middle at Lord’s to partner Sourav Ganguly.It was the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket. Dravid and Ganguly, along with Tendulkar, and Laxman, laid the foundation for the fearless, aggressive and confidant unit that the Indian cricket team is today. In this particular test match, While Ganguly went on to score one of the most fondly remembered debut tons ever, Dravid was unfortunate to go at 95. It was however, a remarkable feat for a debutant batting at no.7, under seaming conditions. It was only the beginning of a great career, and Dravid has gone on to amass over 12000 runs in tests, and over 10000 runs in ODIs. Needless to say, this puts him in the A-list of the most successful batsmen of all time. Stats aside, it is the quality of Dravid’s performances that makes him an all-time great. Right from the 148 & 81 against South Africa at Jo’berg in 1997, to the twin hundreds against New Zealand at Hamilton in 1999, the 180 against Australia at Kolkata in 2001, double centuries away at England, Australia and Pakistand between 2002 and 2004, twin 50s on a landmine of a pitch in Kingston in 2006…the list is endless. As I write this, India are playing WI at Kingston, and are only one wicket away from victory. The architect of this victory, once again is Rahul Dravid. His 112 in the second inning, once again in extremely trying conditions, with wickets tumbling at the other end, has proved that even in the age of T-20s, genuine class stays relevant and paramount.

What is ironic is the fact that despite such enviable achievements, some cricket fans dispute Dravid’s status as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the sport. They offer ridiculous arguments such as – ‘He is not entertaining enough’ or ‘He could never prove himself in ODIs’. These arguments are laughable and invite utmost contempt from me and indeed from anyone who seriously follows cricket. Rahul Dravid’s batting is like poetry. If one fails to see the inspiration, perseverance and romance in it, they should probably not call themselves cricket fans. The brand of entertainment that he offers is not for the rabble. Anyways, I doubt that the great man himself would care about such criticism. His job, after all, is to provide stability to his team’s battling line-up, and not to evoke guffaws through slapstick gestures. Those who say that he failed in the shorter format of the sport, obviously have dubious memory. They conveniently forget that he is among the few who have crossed the 10,000 run barrier in ODIs. He has represented India 339 times in ODIs. In a country replete with batting talent, one can’t expect to play 339 ODIs without being excellent at the trade. These people also forget the fact that Dravid selflessly kept wickets for a long time to help accommodate a seventh batsman in the team. It was this gesture that helped forge the team that reached the World Cup final in 2003. He is the only batsman to have participated in triple hundred stands in ODIs on two separate occasions. He was also the top scorer in the 1999 World cup in England. Anybody who is aware of these facts, and has his sanity intact, would agree that Dravid did a great job in ODIs as well. He has his own way of contributing to the cause, just like Sehwag has one of his own.

All said and done, Cricket is fortunate to have an ambassador like Rahul Dravid, graceful on and off the field. As an Indian, I am proud that Rahul Dravid is my compatriot.