Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests.

hemanth.anand · 9th March 2012, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva

I was looking for some articles to reflect on Dravid's achievements. As usual, the Indian media is pathetic.
Headed to BBC and it warms up your heart reading about Dravid

You may want to read this which is there since afternoon:
Rahul Dravid stats analysis: India's overseas hero, and much more | Specials | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo
And this
Harsha Bhogle on Rahul Dravid's legacy to the game | Opinion | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo

Hmmmm...what can I say?...The ship has lost its anchor today.
What should I watch the next India test match for???...I have no answers.

Hats off to you Rahul...we will miss you!

mukeshgoel · 9th March 2012, 21:19

This is why he is The Wall.

Source: Facebook

sabsubs · 9th March 2012, 21:43

A gentleman's game played by a gentleman, this should sum it up the way he played his cricket. Never was in any kind of controversy. One of the greatest cricketers that India has produced. My eyes are in tears that I can't see him batting again in future. He has been subdued by other greats in the team but his absence would be definitely felt when India plays its next test. There is no wall in Indian cricket now; the wall has taken rest. He would be role model to other budding cricketers. I admire him a lot and hats off to such a great player.

carboy · 9th March 2012, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabsubs

Never was in any kind of controversy.

Dravid and the controverisal ball tampering issue - YouTube

PAVAN KADAM · 9th March 2012, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy

Dravid and the controverisal ball tampering issue - YouTube

This was totally uncalled for

Cant we avoid controversies that did not factually existed.

We are here to pay Tribute to RAHUL THE WALL DRAVID, who has been more successful and gentlemanly than the other stalwarts of the Game.

His technique is unparalleled and he stands tall.

Good thing is, he's retiring still in Form than his contemporaries who are on the verge of being shown the door forcefully.

NPV · 9th March 2012, 22:07

A great gentleman's Test career comes to an end ! Rahul Dravid has served India extremely well and earned the nickname "The Wall" for his hard-fought performances.
On paper, we've had one of the best batting lineups for a very long time but on many occasions it's been the Wall that rescued India from precarious situations when the famed batting lineup failed.
All good things have to come to an end some day but I'm glad he made the decision and did not wait for a situation when the selectors may consider dropping him

anjan_c2007 · 9th March 2012, 22:45

Read a tweet by someone "Walls do not retire, they become monuments" - liked that very much and so am quoting!

lloydofcochin · 9th March 2012, 23:11

As a Cricket lover I'm saddened to hear the news that Dravid has retired.

Over the years he has been a fantastic team player and his dedication and determination for perfection has been astonishing.

He was a thorough gentleman and always played the game in the right spirit. He always played with a straight bat and this silent assassin with an infectious and innocent smile bowled over his opponents and fans alike

Thank You Rahul for all the wonderful memories - Those on the rise Cover Drives, Rasping Cuts, Those delectable On drives and of course that broad dead straight Bat. You have been a Gem and your career will be well & truly celebrated by true fans who knows your real worth!

five46 · 10th March 2012, 08:50

Deccan Herald made a headline yesterday:

Quote:

Like the man, a quiet sunset.

Probably the best description of his retirement.

sabsubs · 10th March 2012, 10:09

@carboy here we go again... this thread was basically created to pay tribute to the wall. Your post could have been avoided, nonetheless even if this controversy ever existed, it wouldn't have made big deal for such a great cricketer.

carboy · 10th March 2012, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabsubs

@carboy here we go again... this thread was basically created to pay tribute to the wall. Your post could have been avoided, nonetheless even if this controversy ever existed, it wouldn't have made big deal for such a great cricketer.

Just because this thread is a tribute to him, doesn't mean people you can post incorrect stuff like "no controversies" without someone correcting them - there was ball tampering and the youtube video clearly shows it.

aaggoswami · 11th March 2012, 10:24

IIRC, initially out of Ganguly and Dravid, it was Ganguly who was selected and Draid was not a favourite of selectors. But later on, in the long run it was Dravid who did better. Though both have contributed to Indian and international cricket, specially after the fixing scams.
Dravid truly deserved THE WALL status. IMO, he still can play for atleast 2 years.

I agree that Media has too much hype. Why are they not literally running behind corrupt politicians till the politicians are sent to jail ? Why make fun of Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar, Shewag ?

If these four did not do well, others could have done well and proved that the young blood can do better. Fact is, the so called young blood is also not doing that good. Its overall form of a team which is lacking and not a few individual players. More serious thinking must go in to see where the cracks and/or conflicts are in the team. Its not matter of a Senior players, but its matter of entire TEAM NOT PERFORMING. There is either lack of motivation or some ego clash or some conflict which has to be looked into and resolved.

issigonis · 11th March 2012, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy

Just because this thread is a tribute to him, doesn't mean people you can post incorrect stuff like "no controversies" without someone correcting them - there was ball tampering and the Youtube video clearly shows it.

>>>

carboy,

The controversy that you allude to, has two sides - its advocates and its detractors. And both sides have their views. I am referring to the detractors also - for a balanced view of the affair.

Regards
issigonis

PAVAN KADAM · 11th March 2012, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabsubs

@carboy here we go again... this thread was basically created to pay tribute to the wall. Your post could have been avoided, nonetheless even if this controversy ever existed, it wouldn't have made big deal for such a great cricketer.

On the Spot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy

Just because this thread is a tribute to him, doesn't mean people you can post incorrect stuff like "no controversies" without someone correcting them - there was ball tampering and the Youtube video clearly shows it.

Mr.Carboy, there is no need to drag unwanted,irrelevent, unnecessary topics when not warranted.

For many in the Country. DRAVID superceeds Sachin's popularity.

For all Dravid fans, including me

World knows, It was RAHUL THE WALL DRAVID that was chosen, most importantly the First INDIAN and the first NON AUSTRALIAN to have been chosen for Sir Don Bradman's oration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtMZo...eature=related

Sledge Between Shoaib Akhtar & Rahul Dravid - YouTube

Rahul Dravid's 270 vs Pakistan - YouTube

Rahul Dravid 233 against Australia - YouTube

dravid 3 sixes - YouTube

Rahul dravid breathtaking catch at slip.mp4 - YouTube

Sachin Tendulkar Trying To Cheat Rahul Dravid in IPL - YouTube

Rahul Dravid Bowling.mp4 - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s639N8mHeqc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tntwy...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vbpC...eature=related

safari_lover · 11th March 2012, 10:54

During one of the India's Test matches against West Indies, a commentator was comparing the Test averages and strike rates of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid. Consequently, a question was asked as to who'd, a cricket fan, pay to watch batting. Sehwag, declared one of the two all-wise men behind the microphone. But the other wasn't happy with the answer, or so it seemed. He put forth a subsequent question and asked, who would he, the second commentator, like to bat for his LIFE. Rahul Dravid, came the answer rather sheepishly with a nervous smile.

Perhaps, the conversation above best describes the cricketing life and times of Dravid. For the masses his batting was defensive and boring, for he didn't have the flair of a Lara or the audacity of a Sehwag. But every one of them felt assured and believed till the time he was at crease, India were always in the game. For they knew, he wasn't the kind to throw his wicket in a moment of adventurism. Every time he walked up to the wicket to take his stance, he took it as if he was there to fight and save something very precious, as precious as the life and soul of Indian cricket.

In his sixteen years of International Cricket for India, the Dravid's discipline and devotion to the game and the team is unmatched by any other Indian play. He was always there to save the team when needed. So when Ganguly wanted to play a extra batsman in the One Day team, Dravid kept wickets without complaining, and did a decent job of balancing wicket keeping and batting. Similarly when the team was finding it difficult to get a Test opener, he didn't complain to open the innings when asked. For a batsman of his stature, he could've easily declined to do it and nobody would've blamed. But that was not how he played his Cricket. For him the Team and the Indian cap always came first. By the way, on a recent tour of England where Dravid was forced to open batting for India again, he scored a century and carried his bat!

But still, he had always been the unsung hero or, as somebody wrote, child of a lesser God, in the Indian cricket. And it was so right from the very beginning when his 90+ on debut was shadowed by the centurion and fellow debutant, Ganguly. He was perhaps the best Indian batsman of his era, saving and winning matches for his Team, where they were hitherto expected to, before. He'd consistently excel at places where the ball used to get closer to the nose of a batsman than his bat. He was at the forefront of every famous victory India recorded abroad - be it Trent Bridge or Adelaide or Kingston. Such was the way he batted abroad that when India won a famous victory at Adelaide in the 2003/04 season, captain Ganguly stated that Dravid 'batted like Gods', in the post match presentation ceremony. But still somehow, he was never mentioned in the same leagues of his contemporaries legends!

However, it was not just how he batted or played that made Dravid what he was, but it was a combination of lot of things. The way he conducted himself on and off the field could be a lesson for any budding cricketer. He always let his bat do the talking on the field. He was never the one to engage in skirmishes or to respond to a banter by the opposition. For him it was simple. He was there to bat, that is what he would do! Remember that Six of Alan Donald and the incident afterwards! Never did he display his emotions. The only time he got angry would be when he got out a playing a bad shot! Angry on himself that is.

Off the field, Dravid was as sure footed as he was on it. He wasn't the kind that would get into a controversy or a publicity stunt. He was as much the gentleman as he was on field. Very articulate with his interviews, never to put in a wrong word. Who could ever forget the MTV Bakra episode, where a girl acting as a reporter asks him to marry her. His immediate reaction - what's your age? Concentrate on your studies and forget all this marriage and stuff! In fact when a controversy surrounded a run out dismal during the last year's tour of England, it was Dravid, who was sent out to speak to the press.

During the same series Dravid surpassed the great Gavaskar's for the number of Test centuries scored. When a commentator/TV presenter pointed it out and asked for his reaction, Dravid while acknowledging the elation for achieving the feat was quick to add that how he played so many years of cricket and so many Test matches. And having played so much the feats such as the one in the question were bound to happen! As gentle and as humble ever.

Now that Dravid has decided to quit playing, it creates a huge vacuum in not just Indian but International cricket. For years, we have been accustomed to watching our opener get out early in the day only to find Dravid come out to bat and bring our blood pressure back to normal. Will there be another player who'll rise up the ranks to match this colossal of an achiever? I, for one, doubt it. For in this world of T20, where new stars are born and forgotten within a season, where players concentrate on doing stuff other than playing, where players cannot control their instinct to get into skirmishes mistaking for aggression, and where a century is celebrated as a Rock Star performing a encore, there can be many who'll come and play with audacity to excite the masses. But there may not ever come a player who'll please the connoisseur, with his technique, his purity, his discipline and devotion to the game we've all come to love, the way Dravid did.

And just for that, T A K E A B O W, Rahul Sharad Dravid! Your contributions to the world of cricket will be treasured in the hearts of millions of your fans.

For Cricket May Not Be The Gentleman's Game Again; For The Last Gentleman Departs!

Disclaimer - The Author is a self confessed RD admirer and has been one since the past 14 odd years.

9th March 2012, 21:19	#32
mukeshgoel Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 1,234 Thanked: 2,139 Times View My Garage	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. This is why he is The Wall. Source: Facebook Attached Thumbnails
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9th March 2012, 21:43	#33
sabsubs BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 324 Thanked: 322 Times	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. A gentleman's game played by a gentleman, this should sum it up the way he played his cricket. Never was in any kind of controversy. One of the greatest cricketers that India has produced. My eyes are in tears that I can't see him batting again in future. He has been subdued by other greats in the team but his absence would be definitely felt when India plays its next test. There is no wall in Indian cricket now; the wall has taken rest. He would be role model to other budding cricketers. I admire him a lot and hats off to such a great player.
	() Thanks

9th March 2012, 22:07	#36
NPV Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Namma Bengaluru Posts: 7,216 Thanked: 10,252 Times	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. A great gentleman's Test career comes to an end ! Rahul Dravid has served India extremely well and earned the nickname "The Wall" for his hard-fought performances. On paper, we've had one of the best batting lineups for a very long time but on many occasions it's been the Wall that rescued India from precarious situations when the famed batting lineup failed. All good things have to come to an end some day but I'm glad he made the decision and did not wait for a situation when the selectors may consider dropping him
	() Thanks

9th March 2012, 22:45	#37
anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 8,304 Thanked: 20,486 Times View My Garage	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. Read a tweet by someone "Walls do not retire, they become monuments" - liked that very much and so am quoting!
	(1) Thanks

9th March 2012, 23:11	#38
lloydofcochin BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 437 Thanked: 183 Times	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. As a Cricket lover I'm saddened to hear the news that Dravid has retired. Over the years he has been a fantastic team player and his dedication and determination for perfection has been astonishing. He was a thorough gentleman and always played the game in the right spirit. He always played with a straight bat and this silent assassin with an infectious and innocent smile bowled over his opponents and fans alike Thank You Rahul for all the wonderful memories - Those on the rise Cover Drives, Rasping Cuts, Those delectable On drives and of course that broad dead straight Bat. You have been a Gem and your career will be well & truly celebrated by true fans who knows your real worth!
	() Thanks

10th March 2012, 10:09	#40
sabsubs BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 324 Thanked: 322 Times	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. @carboy here we go again... this thread was basically created to pay tribute to the wall. Your post could have been avoided, nonetheless even if this controversy ever existed, it wouldn't have made big deal for such a great cricketer.
	(1) Thanks

11th March 2012, 10:24	#42
aaggoswami Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vadodara Posts: 4,982 Thanked: 2,930 Times	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. IIRC, initially out of Ganguly and Dravid, it was Ganguly who was selected and Draid was not a favourite of selectors. But later on, in the long run it was Dravid who did better. Though both have contributed to Indian and international cricket, specially after the fixing scams. Dravid truly deserved THE WALL status. IMO, he still can play for atleast 2 years. I agree that Media has too much hype. Why are they not literally running behind corrupt politicians till the politicians are sent to jail ? Why make fun of Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar, Shewag ? If these four did not do well, others could have done well and proved that the young blood can do better. Fact is, the so called young blood is also not doing that good. Its overall form of a team which is lacking and not a few individual players. More serious thinking must go in to see where the cracks and/or conflicts are in the team. Its not matter of a Senior players, but its matter of entire TEAM NOT PERFORMING. There is either lack of motivation or some ego clash or some conflict which has to be looked into and resolved.
	() Thanks

11th March 2012, 10:54	#45
safari_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bengaluru / Bagdal Posts: 1,135 Thanked: 685 Times	Re: Tribute to "The Wall" - Rahul Dravid, announces retirement from Tests. During one of the India's Test matches against West Indies, a commentator was comparing the Test averages and strike rates of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid. Consequently, a question was asked as to who'd, a cricket fan, pay to watch batting. Sehwag, declared one of the two all-wise men behind the microphone. But the other wasn't happy with the answer, or so it seemed. He put forth a subsequent question and asked, who would he, the second commentator, like to bat for his LIFE. Rahul Dravid, came the answer rather sheepishly with a nervous smile. Perhaps, the conversation above best describes the cricketing life and times of Dravid. For the masses his batting was defensive and boring, for he didn't have the flair of a Lara or the audacity of a Sehwag. But every one of them felt assured and believed till the time he was at crease, India were always in the game. For they knew, he wasn't the kind to throw his wicket in a moment of adventurism. Every time he walked up to the wicket to take his stance, he took it as if he was there to fight and save something very precious, as precious as the life and soul of Indian cricket. In his sixteen years of International Cricket for India, the Dravid's discipline and devotion to the game and the team is unmatched by any other Indian play. He was always there to save the team when needed. So when Ganguly wanted to play a extra batsman in the One Day team, Dravid kept wickets without complaining, and did a decent job of balancing wicket keeping and batting. Similarly when the team was finding it difficult to get a Test opener, he didn't complain to open the innings when asked. For a batsman of his stature, he could've easily declined to do it and nobody would've blamed. But that was not how he played his Cricket. For him the Team and the Indian cap always came first. By the way, on a recent tour of England where Dravid was forced to open batting for India again, he scored a century and carried his bat! But still, he had always been the unsung hero or, as somebody wrote, child of a lesser God, in the Indian cricket. And it was so right from the very beginning when his 90+ on debut was shadowed by the centurion and fellow debutant, Ganguly. He was perhaps the best Indian batsman of his era, saving and winning matches for his Team, where they were hitherto expected to, before. He'd consistently excel at places where the ball used to get closer to the nose of a batsman than his bat. He was at the forefront of every famous victory India recorded abroad - be it Trent Bridge or Adelaide or Kingston. Such was the way he batted abroad that when India won a famous victory at Adelaide in the 2003/04 season, captain Ganguly stated that Dravid 'batted like Gods', in the post match presentation ceremony. But still somehow, he was never mentioned in the same leagues of his contemporaries legends! However, it was not just how he batted or played that made Dravid what he was, but it was a combination of lot of things. The way he conducted himself on and off the field could be a lesson for any budding cricketer. He always let his bat do the talking on the field. He was never the one to engage in skirmishes or to respond to a banter by the opposition. For him it was simple. He was there to bat, that is what he would do! Remember that Six of Alan Donald and the incident afterwards! Never did he display his emotions. The only time he got angry would be when he got out a playing a bad shot! Angry on himself that is. Off the field, Dravid was as sure footed as he was on it. He wasn't the kind that would get into a controversy or a publicity stunt. He was as much the gentleman as he was on field. Very articulate with his interviews, never to put in a wrong word. Who could ever forget the MTV Bakra episode, where a girl acting as a reporter asks him to marry her. His immediate reaction - what's your age? Concentrate on your studies and forget all this marriage and stuff! In fact when a controversy surrounded a run out dismal during the last year's tour of England, it was Dravid, who was sent out to speak to the press. During the same series Dravid surpassed the great Gavaskar's for the number of Test centuries scored. When a commentator/TV presenter pointed it out and asked for his reaction, Dravid while acknowledging the elation for achieving the feat was quick to add that how he played so many years of cricket and so many Test matches. And having played so much the feats such as the one in the question were bound to happen! As gentle and as humble ever. Now that Dravid has decided to quit playing, it creates a huge vacuum in not just Indian but International cricket. For years, we have been accustomed to watching our opener get out early in the day only to find Dravid come out to bat and bring our blood pressure back to normal. Will there be another player who'll rise up the ranks to match this colossal of an achiever? I, for one, doubt it. For in this world of T20, where new stars are born and forgotten within a season, where players concentrate on doing stuff other than playing, where players cannot control their instinct to get into skirmishes mistaking for aggression, and where a century is celebrated as a Rock Star performing a encore, there can be many who'll come and play with audacity to excite the masses. But there may not ever come a player who'll please the connoisseur, with his technique, his purity, his discipline and devotion to the game we've all come to love, the way Dravid did. And just for that, T A K E A B O W, Rahul Sharad Dravid! Your contributions to the world of cricket will be treasured in the hearts of millions of your fans. For Cricket May Not Be The Gentleman's Game Again; For The Last Gentleman Departs! Disclaimer - The Author is a self confessed RD admirer and has been one since the past 14 odd years.
	(7) Thanks