The Indian head coach Rahul Dravid celebrated his 50th birthday with the national team in Kolkata on Wednesday, 11 January. Dravid, one the greatest cricketer the country has ever produced is currently on a 3-match assignment with the side against Sri Lanka. The BCCI posted a video of the Indian team landing in Kolkata and then celebrating Dravid’s birthday in the team hotel.

India has arrived at Kolkata to play an ODI for the first time after a gap of more than 5 years. The men in blue are having a lead of 1-0 in the ODI series and will hope to take an unassailable lead by winning the game at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The team started the World Cup year on a strong note with impressive outings for all batters in the top order, followed by a strong fast bowling display, at least till the 40th over of the 1st ODI.

Touchdown Kolkata 📍

A special birthday celebration here for #TeamIndia Head Coach Rahul Dravid 😃🎂#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/FbLvxbYWuN

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2023

India cricketer Virat Kohli wished head coach Rahul Dravid his 50th birthday. Also known as ‘The Wall’ for his tremendous ability to protect his wicket and bail the team out of tough situations during his illustrious career, Dravid was wished upon by other cricketers and thousands of fans as well.

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Rahul Dravid was appointed as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team on November 03, 2021, and during his tenure, Kohli came out of his wretched form and 1019-day century drought as he slammed his 71st ton in the Asia Cup 2022. “Happy Birthday Rahul bhai, best wishes,” posted Kohli on Instagram.

Eden Gardens has been a happy hunting ground for captain Rohit Sharma himself, who missed out on a century in the 1st ODI match. Rohit Sharma will be hoping to regain form with big scores running into the ODI World Cup, a tournament that is scheduled to be played in the months of October and November.

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Team India is expected to not make changes, but they might look at the options to slightly switch their batting order. Fans have argued for Ishan Kishan in the batting line-up after his sensational double hundred against Bangladesh in the final match of the previous series.

Here is how the cricketing fraternity wished Rahul Dravid on his birthday:

5️⃣0️⃣9️⃣ intl. matches 👍
2️⃣4️⃣2️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ intl. runs 👌
4️⃣8️⃣ intl. centuries 💯

Here’s wishing Rahul Dravid – former #TeamIndia captain and present Head Coach of India (Men's team) – a very Happy Birthday 🎂 👏 pic.twitter.com/orViXUGWXN

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2023

Warmest wishes for a very happy birthday, Rahul Dravid Sir 🎂

— Smriti Mandhana (@mandhana_smriti) January 11, 2023

Here's wishing one of the greatest torchbearers of the game, the first Royal Challenger and the current head coach of #TeamIndia, Rahul Dravid, a very Happy Birthday! 🎂#PlayBold pic.twitter.com/uRa0danPNL

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 11, 2023

Happy birthday Rahul Dravid
Wishing you the best.

— Umesh Yaadav (@y_umesh) January 11, 2023

Happy Birthday inspiration ❤️. Rahul Dravid ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VDNR6DVxXl

— Midhun Thamby (@Jammy19Sharad) January 10, 2023

Happy Birthday to " THE GREAT WALL" . One Of the great in game .
Rahul Dravid 💙🇮🇳@BCCI @rajasthanroyals #happybirthdayrahuldravid pic.twitter.com/I591mcwKHH

— sunny (@itssunnynayak) January 10, 2023