Mario Monteiro

Mar 12: Cricket has always been known as a Gentleman’s game. As we turn over the pages of history of this sport, we come across several names who have truly done justice to this name by their on-field and off-field mannerisms. That list of incredible cricketers had another addition this week, that of our very own Rahul Dravid. I do not wish to write about his cricketing prowess as that has already been done by cricketing experts and analysts. Instead, I would like to focus on how Rahul Sharad Dravid, with his quiet and unassuming ways could be the perfect role model to the modern youth.

India has for long been a cricket crazy country. With more than a billion people following the sport religiously, our cricketers become heroes overnight with one or two brilliant performances. Nine out of ten children today, when asked for a role model, would definitely blurt out a cricketer’s name. And the role model is one these young fans would imitate in their most formative years. Thus the choice of our first idol inadvertently ends up having a say in the people we grow up to be. In such a scenario, the cricketer, who in my opinion, qualifies as one of the most deserving role models is the man who announced his retirement this past week, Rahul Dravid.

“Not often do we find a person as exceptional as his achievements” was the tweet of former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar when Dravid announced to the world that he had decided to hang his boots. This single sentence of Manjrekar easily sums up the essence of this entire article. Dravid was an amazing cricketer but he is an even better human being. His opponents feared his cricketing abilities, but respected him more. He always had a pursuit of excellence. He did not prefer to sit back on his past laurels but strived day in and day out to improve his game and technique. His levels of fitness even at the age of 39 serve as testimony to the hard work he put in. This quality is something that we definitely need to learn and imbibe. It is but natural that a certain level of complacency creeps in after an achievement. This is what we need to wary of as this can lead to a case of winning the battle but losing the war. His patience has been seen by the cricketing world over the last decade and a half in the way he used to just tire out bowlers who used to come charging at him. His dedication and determination deserve a word of mention too. We, the modern youth need to learn to be patient. Though in a world where everything happens thick and fast, patience is a virtue that we cannot afford to let die. Patience in turn will lead to determination and dedication to what we do.

The quality of Dravid that I would rate the highest is his humility. Though a legend in his own right, he always kept his feet grounded. Success would indeed sit lightly on him. His external calmness and composure were a reflection of the inner humility. Being an international cricketing star did not stop him from being the photographer for his mother’s PhD convocation ceremony. This humility of heart also enabled him to put team above self throughout his career. He was always ready to come out of his comfort zone and bear the additional burden of wicket-keeping when the team asked him to. Selfless actions and deeds like these earned him worldwide respect in the cricketing fraternity and established him as a true ambassador of the Gentleman s game. Little surprise then that he was chosen as the first non-Australian to deliver the prestigious Bradman Oration which he did so graciously on December 14th last year at the start of India’s tour Down Under.

Rahul Dravid, thank you for being what you have been to the Indian Cricket fan for the last sixteen years. Thanks for the many memorable innings you have played and almost single handedly taken the team from the jaws of defeat to the brink of victory. We are grateful. We are grateful even more for the wonderful qualities you possess and which inspire us. As the cricketing legend in you walks into the sunset, let the same simple qualities motivate and inspire all who have been growing up watching you. As another legend Sachin Tendulkar rightly said, there will never be another Rahul Dravid on the cricket pitch again. But India hopes and prays that the dignity and grace of Rahul Sharad Dravid, undoubtedly India’s greatest No.3 batsman, descends into the billion die-hard fans of this cricket crazy nation.

Thanks for the memories Rahul Dravid.