“Who writes these scripts anyway” as one former English test captain would often say. Indeed barely 6-7 months ago when Rahul Dravid was notching up overseas test hundreds one after the other in trying conditions when the entire team was in shambles , yet nobody would have imagined that after the Australlian tour Rahul Dravid would call it quits citing that it was time to move on and let the future generation of young and talented players to take over the mantle of carrying the team forward. Even though it was sad to see one of the greatest team players of his generation bid adieu to the game he always cherished and played with the uttermost dignity and commitment. The announcement of his retirement is probably very well timed as all his strokeplay has been over the years. Every player must know when to hang his boots otherwise he begins to loose respect among his peers and likewise. In India there is always the temptation to cling on to the place for that one more farewell home test and this is where Rahul stands out as a beacon among modern Indian cricketers and society as a whole.
He must surely have been tempted to command one more final swansong against New Zealand and nobody would have grudged him his rightful due after serving Indian cricket for so long but this was not the reason he had played the game for so many years. In his press conference he thanked the Indian fan for their undying support and adulation. The Indian fan has always been taken for a ride by the administrators and the custodians of the game, therefore all the more laudable reason that Rahul did not forget the Indian fans the world over. There are sportsmen and there are some sportsmen who are remembered not just for the on field heroics but also for their off the field persona. Rahul Dravid has always been the true student of the game despite achieving so much in cricket. He has been the perfect role model every young Indian should try to emulate . we live in a society where flamboyance is preferred over substance and in this regards Dravid is the perfect traditional middle class Indian whose priority has always been to take the team to the safety and then attempt impetuous shots just like the middle class Indian always has his priorities on saving his salary and then spending the extra money on leisure activities.
A player is often judged by the manner in which he earns the respect from his teammates in the dressing room and by the opposition players he has locked horns against. In this respect dravid has truly earned more than his share of respect from cricketers among whom he has played with or against. The legacy which Dravid has left behind is remarkable for more reasons than one. The ability to adapt to the tough overseas conditions has never been better illustrated than by Dravid. His overseas record matches even the great Sachin Tendulkar, under whose shadows he has always lived for a decade and a half. His unflinching attitude towards the team has been well orchestrated as he has been the go to man of Indian cricket , whether the team needed a makeshift opener in overseas conditions or during the 2003 world cup when he kept wickets behind the stumps despite being the vice captain of the team just because the team could have the right balance. Even in test cricket when at times VVS Laxman has been in better form Dravid never shied from batting down at number 5 or 6 to suit the team cause. It is this quality to play for the team which stands out amongst other players of his era. It is in this team first attitude that Rahul Dravid will be missed the most in Indian cricket. Thank you Rahul Dravid for all the joy and happiness which you have brought to us the fans and best of luck with your future life.
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