Former India head coach Rahul Dravid said being honoured with a stand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium felt like a homecoming — a recognition of years spent on that turf more than in his own living room. Speaking at the unveiling, Dravid spoke with the quiet gratitude fans have come to expect: the stadium shaped his career, gave him joy and heartbreak in equal measure, and now carries a permanent reminder of those memories.
Dravid paid tribute to fellow stalwart Anil Kumble, whose name also adorns another stand, noting how both men rose through Karnataka cricket and later served the country with distinction. The honour was initiated by a panel led by former team-mate Venkatesh Prasad, and ratified by the state body, KSCA, which Dravid said has been central to his journey.
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“There’s a deep emotional thread here,” Rahul Dravid reflected, describing childhood trips with his father that first lit his passion for the game. He singled out family and mentors in equal measure — a reminder that an individual’s success rarely arrives in isolation. In his remarks he also touched on the weight of history: playing and coaching alongside contemporaries who include the likes of Sachin Tendulkar has been formative and humbling.
#WATCH | Bengaluru | The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) honoured former Indian captain Rahul Dravid by naming a stand at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium after him.
Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid says, “…It’s been a second home to me, and it’s been a place… pic.twitter.com/NmLCu2wTCZ
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2026
For young cricketers in Karnataka, the named stands are more than plaques — they are signposts of aspiration. Dravid spoke about responsibility: the legacy that comes with a name on a stadium demands humility, steady performance and a willingness to give back to the game that gave so much.
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The ceremony was low on pomp and high on substance — familiar, measured and respectful — exactly the tone one expects from a man renowned as a technician and a leader. For the M. Chinnaswamy faithful, the new signs around the ground do more than honour two icons; they close a circle, celebrating local roots that fed national greatness and offering a visible reminder that the stadium itself remains a crucible for future stories.
