On Friday (11 January), the former Indian captain Rahul Dravid turns 46. Famous with the name of “The Wall” for his high-level concentration, Dravid won many hearts as a cricketer and even now he is winning the hearts through his brilliant coaching ability. On his 46th birthday occasion, the entire native people have sent the best wishes for him.
Dravid, who born on 11 January 1973 at Indore (Madhya Pradesh), was a right-handed top-order batsman for the Indian cricket team. As a batsman, Dravid played some remarkable innings, which are unforgettable for the cricket fans. In his long international career, Dravid also played as an occasional wicketkeeper-batsman in ODI format.
Also read: Justin Langer Feels Pujara’s Concentration Level Can Beat Tendulkar And Dravid
At the age of 23-year-old, Dravid made his international cricket debut on 3rd April 1996 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at Singapore.
Later, in that same year, Dravid made his Test debut along with another Indian star cricketer Sourav Ganguly during the Lord’s Test against England in June.
Also read: Dravid About Laxman’s 281: Probably The Greatest Indian Innings Ever Played
The right-handed top-order batsman had almost a 16-year long international career as his final international game was the Adelaide Test (against Australia) in January 2012.
In his international career, Dravid played a total of 509 matches – 164 Tests, 344 ODIs and only T20I. As the fourth most Test run-scorer, Dravid scored 13,288 runs with an average of 52.31. In that format, he scored 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries and also his best Test knock was 270 against Pakistan at Rawalpindi. Also, he is the record holder of most catches taken in Test cricket by a non-wicketkeeper as he took 210 catches in this format.
Also read: Virat Kohli Breaks Long Standing Record Of Rahul Dravid
Dravid finished his ODI career after the Cardiff ODI against England on 16 September 2011. The right-handed top-order batsman, who was also the occasional wicketkeeper in this format, scored 10,889 runs with an average of 39.16. In ODI, Dravid scored 12 centuries and 83 half-centuries with the best knock of 153 against New Zealand at Hyderabad (Deccan) on 8 November 1999. Also, he made 210 dismissals in this format too as he took 196 catches and the 14 others were stumping dismissals.
Dravid played his only T20I on 31st August 2011 against England at Manchester. In that game, he scored 31 runs but England won by 6 wickets.
Also read: Ian Chappell Feels Cheteshwar Pujara Has The Same Batting Style Of Rahul Dravid
Also, in his international career, Dravid picked up a total of five wickets – one in Test and four in ODIs. Dravid was the leading run-scorer in 1999 Cricket World Cup where he scored 461 runs with the average of 65.85.
During his international career, India achieved many successes. He played an important role for India to finish the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy tournament as the joint winner (the hosts Sri Lanka also the other winner of that tournament). He also played an important role for the national side to become the runner-up in 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup as he scored 318 runs in that tournament with the average of 63.60.
Dravid also led the national side in 104 international cricket matches (25 Tests and 79 ODIs) between 2000 and 2007, where also the national team achieved some glorious success.
After his retirement from cricket, Dravid is serving as the coach. At present, Dravid is the head coach of India U19 and India A cricket team and his services as the coach are also very impressive.
Also read: Rahul Dravid Defines The Role Of The India A Team
Some special achievements
- Arjuna Award – 1988
- Wisden Cricketers of the Year – 2000
- Padma Shri – 2004
- Padma Bhushan – 2013
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame – 2018
Here are some Twitter reactions on his birthday special:
24,208 international runs.
48 centuries.
146 fifties.#U19CWC winning coach in 2018.Happy birthday to India's Wall, the legendary Rahul Dravid! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/mR5kFLqBXX
— ICC (@ICC) January 11, 2019
Wishing The Wall – Rahul Dravid a very Happy Birthday. His exploits in whites are well known but we thought we would relive one of his knocks in blue against Pakistan #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/gJ1sgt6Ird
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2019
Happy birthday to the 'Wall of Indian Cricket', #RahulDravid!#HappyBirthdayDravid #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid #TheWall pic.twitter.com/Vn68vh8kow
— Doordarshan National (@DDNational) January 11, 2019
Our Royal Captain, Our Mr. Dependable and so much more than just Indian Cricket’s Wall. Happy Birthday to the legend #RahulDravid . Thank you for all the memories, runs and being the person you are! #TheWall pic.twitter.com/E8Vw2qP8jx
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 11, 2019
Wishing #RahulDravid a happy birthday! Have a great year my friend. pic.twitter.com/K7XreQReuo
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 11, 2019
Deewaron ke bhi kaan hote hain , is deewar ka bahut saaf Mann aur hriday bhi hai!( #TheWall too has ears, this one has a pure mind and a heart as well)
A joy to have played with him and made so many wonderful memories together #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid ! pic.twitter.com/eukPvSx0II— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2019
Many more happy returns of the day to my dear friend Rahul. I wish him all the happiness and love and hope that he continues serving Indian Cricket and continues to inspire not just budding cricketers but the youth of the country. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/fzsQcy5D5I
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2019
Happy birthday Jam..wish you all the happiness..keep continuing to flourish young talent under ur wings.. you are the best they can get..many great memories shared and many more to make #Thegreatwallofindia #legend #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/Ha9GYvHQ9n
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 11, 2019
Happy birthday dear Jammy ! To the legend of the game, have an awesome day #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/o0kd03EW4A
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 11, 2019
Happy Birthday Rahul Sir.
Hope you have the best day and year ahead filled with happiness 🤗#Rahuldravid #thewall pic.twitter.com/TyIJoQTSHL— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) January 11, 2019
Happy Birthday Rahul bhai ! They call it a Gentleman's game because legends like you played it. Sharing the dressing room with you was a privilege & an honor that I'll never forget. Friend, mentor, captain & always #TheWall. Have a great year ahead!! #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/1HOY2bYrC5
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) January 11, 2019
Here’s wishing one of the all time greats #RahulDravid a happy birthday. Be it in cricket or in life, there’s so much to admire and learn from him. pic.twitter.com/KfRmTnbFK5
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) January 11, 2019
Years ago someone said of #RahulDravid –
“He’s the guy you’d like your sister to marry”There really couldn’t be a better statement to compliment a man’s fine character
Top Man
Great Cricketer #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid— why atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) January 11, 2019
Many Happy Returns Of The Day, #RahulDravid. You have set a shining example for all our budding cricketers. May God bless you with a long and happy life. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/4oTgX5ZvnC
— Vinay Prasad (@vinayprasad93) January 11, 2019
Happy Birthday Rahul Dravid..
☑️ 509 International Matches
☑️ 24208 Runs
☑️ 48 Hundreds
☑️ 146 Half Centuries
☑️ 406 Catches
☑️ Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2000
☑️ ICC Test Player of the Year 2004
☑️ ICC Player of the Year 2004❤️ Uncountable Memories ❤#TheWall#RahulDravid pic.twitter.com/GoO34yugRu
— ѕαη∂єѕн внαgωαт (@S4NDY07) January 11, 2019
Tell Rahul Dravid to open innings
RD – yes
Bat at lower order
RD – yes
Do wicket keeping
RD – yes
Do captaincy
RD – yes
Coach junior players
RD – yes
Do no smoking ad
RD – yes
Die for the country
RD – yes
The man who is selfless#HappyBirthdayRahulDravid #RahulDravid pic.twitter.com/Fcj7c8E9KM— Sai PhaniTeja🎮 (@nsptsaiphani) January 11, 2019
When Life Gives You Rahul Make It Dravid Not Gandhi Or KL.
Happy Birthday Sir Rahul Dravid. 🙏🇮🇳 #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid#HappyBirthdayDravid#RahulDravid pic.twitter.com/feGHEg0LR3
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja_Real) January 10, 2019
Happy Birthday "THE WALL" #RahulDravid🎂❤️ pic.twitter.com/KHqRjFCEfk
— Ankit Jha (@ImAnkitJha) January 10, 2019
A Very Happy Birthday to the modesty personified #RahulDravid!!! pic.twitter.com/UqTrpkjS1d
— Nikhil Kumar (@nisanyas) January 11, 2019
Happy Birthday #RahulDravid #TheWall pic.twitter.com/w58SSObBvT
— Mayur Misra (@misramayur) January 11, 2019
For a career full of grace, charm, timing & poise, it was sad that it had to end with a slog. But that was once again, what the team just needed! ❤
Happy Birthday to the "Wall of India". A legend, inspiration & a role model for many. 😊 #rahuldravid #happybirthdayrahuldravid pic.twitter.com/QHH3eLJxkK— Raghav Rathi (@raghavrathi25) January 11, 2019
