Lucknow: Rahul Dravid is the name which even today first strikes in our minds whenever the Indian Cricket team seems to be in situation of losing a match. Such is the aura created by the legendary batsman who is celebrating his 45th birthday on Thursday.
Fondly known as ‘The Wall’, the Indore-born batsman played many astonishing knocks during his decorated 16-year-long career.
With the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, Dravid was a permanent fixture in the Indian middle-order for years. During the 2000s, the ‘fab four’ of Indian Cricket used to be one of the best middle-orders in the world, especially in Tests.
Born on January 11, 1973, Dravid is currently serving the Indian team as the Overseas Batting Consultant and Head Coach of India Under-19 and India ‘A’ teams.
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During his illustrated career in Test Cricket, Rahul Dravid represented the country in 164 Tests and scored 13,288 runs at a staggering average of 52.31. He scored 36 hundreds and 63 half-centuries with a highest score of 270 runs.
In his 286 Test innings, he never got out for a ‘Golden Duck’ (getting dismissed on the first ball faced in an inning).
He also appeared in 344 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India and scored 10,889 runs at a healthy average of 39.16. He also has 12 hundreds and 83 half-centuries in the shorter format of the game with 153 being his highest score.
He, however, could never establish an image of being a quick scorer of runs, but was widely regarded as the safest pair of hands in Indian slip cordon. He took 210 catches in Tests while 196 catches in ODI Cricket.
Apart from being one of the greatest cricketers in history, Rahul Dravid is also very much loved for his humble behavior despite being a superstar of Indian Cricket for so long.
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He stunned everyone when denied the opportunity to coach the Indian national side to shape the career and technique of the young talents coming from all across the country in the Under-19 and India ‘A’ teams.
It would not be wrong to say that he is the first person to be credited for the amazingly talented ‘bench-strength’ of current Indian team which has most recently seen greatly confident and technically correct batsmen and some quick yet controlled bowlers making their debut for the Indian team.
Many of the past and current team India members took to Twitter to wish Rahul Dravid on his 45th birth anniversary:
Wishing a very happy birthday to the Great Wall of India.. #RahulDravid what a player..a song from Bollywood I wanna dedicate to u is NA KOI HAI NA KOI THA…..CRICKET MAI TUMHARE JAISA.. Class apart👊 outstanding batting skills and slip catcher👏🇮🇳🇮🇳🏏 pic.twitter.com/QW2qCfl8hR
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 11, 2018
There might be many strong walls around us but the greatest yet is the one and only, #RahulDravid. Happy birthday, Jammy! My best wishes for the U-19 World Cup. #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/RICNJXzIWM
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 11, 2018
Wall in Pic 1 may or may not shake or break.
But Wall in Pic 2 riding me is unshakable and unbreakable. Just sit back ,relax and have a safe ride. #HappyBirthdayDravid . Best wishes to the U-19 boys! pic.twitter.com/fP07xmQIMc— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2018
I've always looked up to Rahul Bhai, not only for his cricket achievements but also for the way he leads his life with simplicity and utmost dignity. #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/gFjwgch20H
— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) January 11, 2018
Happy Birthday to the legend #RahulDravid . I have learned a lot of skills from you and I consider myself so lucky to play under your leadership. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid #TheWall pic.twitter.com/LbdjPTDlOb
— R P Singh (@RpSingh99) January 11, 2018
Friendship isn’t about being inseparable but knowing and realising that inspite of not meeting regularly nothing will change. Wishing the very best to a dear friend, Rahul with whom I have shared some great memories #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/9BcLlN7wFF
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2018
Happy birthday, Rahul Bhai. A thorough gentleman who taught us the meaning of commitment and sacrifices. Getting my ODI and Test caps from you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Hope the boys make you proud in the upcoming U-19 World Cup. #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/f9JqYvhn82— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) January 11, 2018
Many happy returns of the day Rahul. Good luck with the U 19 World Cup pic.twitter.com/yToojJFWNN
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 11, 2018
Birthday wishes Rahul Bhai hope you have a terrific year & best wishes for the under -19 World Cup, boys couldn’t ask for a better man at the helm #HappyBirthdayDravid
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 11, 2018
Commitment, Consistency, Class. Here's wishing a very Happy Birthday to Former #TeamIndia Skipper Rahul Dravid #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/FTgk1SjdT9
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2018
VIDEO: #HappyBirthdayDravid
The Wall turns 45https://t.co/KhBsXRi88w #Legend pic.twitter.com/goqbAM2nXn
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2018
13,288 Test runs
10,889 ODI runs
48 international centuries
1 legendary careerHappy Birthday Rahul Dravid! pic.twitter.com/R1kdkFQH5w
— ICC (@ICC) January 11, 2018