He sweated more, laughed lesser. The studios silence of him was concentration to some, nervousness to others. He never came in flash, but was like the treasured wine which ups slowly. You loved the man, but not his game. He played more balls, perfectly each time, but scored less. He was a man of contradictions. And life played one on him as well, though being successful; he always played second fiddle to his more illustrious peers. Yes...I am talking about Rahul Dravid.
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| Rahul Dravid after his last Oneday Inning |
When Rahul graciously bowed out from Onedayers last friday, I realized how easily I have completed those 15 years with him. My association with him goes back to 1996. As a young boy totally mesmerised by the beauty of cricket I watched India getting out of Wills World Cup in Kolkata. I vividly remember how seriously I was following that world cup. I had created my own scrap book, noting scores and important events. I was eagerly waiting for Azharuddin to raise the Cup. And it all went down in Kolkata..........that day........late evening.........it was not only Vinod Kambli who cried. Not only burned the benches of Eden Garden, along burnt my scrap book.
Post World Cup, Vinod Kambli and Sanjay Manjarekar were dropped, and Vikram Rathod, Rahul Dravid and Avinash Vaid were selected in the team. This man ‘Rahul Dravid’ played in Singapore against Sri Lanka and then in Saarjah. He failed. No one cared and to all’s surprise he was selected in the team to long England tour, and rest they say is history.
Most people despised Rahul for slow run rate. Somehow I got connected. I saw in him a man who struggled in middle when chips were down. Others used to leave in hurry if they can’t change the course. He fought, struggled hard and mostly lost in the end. This human like act of him, seems endeared him to me. He was well read, his comments made note in next day’s newspaper but not his exploits. Slowly, under the shadows of his peers, he built his career brick by brick and then they named him ‘The Wall’. There came moment during 2002-2006 when he surpassed everyone. That was the phase when we all loved him, and my admiration just rose. We lost 2007 world cup and he was left out of one dayers. It hurt him, more to me. Both of us reconciled to the fact of him playing only test matches. Out of nowhere he was recalled for Champions’ trophy and later in England. I hoped he will play well and again become a permanent member for next 1-2 years. But he knew himself better that me and decided to leave the blue jersey. He bowed out and when he walked off field, head held high, for the last time in blue jersey, I realised how fast those 15 years have gone by.
Thanks you Dravid for being human, for showing that struggle is not shame. Every run of yours is a work of hard work. You stood up and showed one can succeed even if not naturally gifted. I fear the day when you will walk out for the last time in white jersey, because along with walk out the cricket in me. Good Luck.
(Photo Source: Yahoo)
