Rahul Dravid

If there is one person who made defence look attractive, then it has to be Rahul Dravid. The grit, determination and the value he placed on his wicket was simply magnificent. If he was determined on the field, off the field he was a thorough gentleman. So many pictures and stories are there on social media of Dravid standing in line as a common person. But, his persona as ‘Indiranagar ka Gunda’ showed another facet of Dravid the human being. As a cricketer, he made India’s batting solid and eased the pressure for the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman.

When he retired as a player, Dravid went into the grassroots and toiled to find the next level of India’s greats. It would have been easy for Dravid to ease into an administrative or commentary role. Dravid was in both roles as a commentator and head of the NCA. But, he preferred the rigors of building the grassroots of cricket in India. As the coach of the India Under-19 team, he helped the side win the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand. The ‘A’ team and the Under-19 team prospered under Dravid. The likes of Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, and the next generation of talent will get recognition in Indian colors. All because Dravid spotted them and nurtured them at a young age.

As a cricketer, Dravid was always overshadowed by the brilliance of Ganguly, Tendulkar, and Laxman. In any of India’s iconic moments, Dravid would be the ideal second fiddle. The 2001 Eden Miracle was possible because of VVS Laxman’s 281. But, Dravid was the ideal foil with 180 in that 376-run stand. In Leeds 2002, Ganguly and Tendulkar smashed centuries. But, the green conditions and overcast skies were tackled first by Dravid. Perhaps, the one moment that can never be taken away from Dravid was the way how he helped India break their 22-year jinx in Australia.

As a captain, Dravid helped India win a series in the Caribbean and England after decades. Even as stop-gap captain, he ensured India won for the first time in Pakistan in 2004. But, his tenure was overshadowed by the spat between Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell. In that entire episode, Dravid’s captaincy achievements are overshadowed. For years, Indian fans clamored to see Dravid as the head coach of the Indian team. In 2021, they got their wish when Dravid accepted a two-year offer to coach India until the 2023 ICC World Cup.

Rahul Dravid and his international record

Rahul Dravid made his Test debut in 1996 at Lord’s. While Sourav Ganguly made his debut ton, Dravid was dismissed for 95. Over the next few years, Dravid would be dismissed in the nervous nineties, prompting people to fear he may not score the big century. But, in 1997, during the tour to South Africa, Dravid scored his first international century. From that point in time, there was no looking back.

Dravid excelled in England in 2002 and 2011 tours. In the 2002 series, he had scores of 115, 148, and 217 in consecutive innings to finish with over 600 runs. In the 2011 series, Dravid scored a century at Lord’s and got himself on the honors board. After centuries in Trent Bridge and The Oval, Dravid was the lone star in India’s disastrous 4-0 whitewash.

In 2003, Dravid smashed a double century in Adelaide against Australia as India won Down Under after a gap of 22 years. In that series, Dravid scored 619 runs at an average of 123 as India drew 1-1. But, it was the series against Pakistan that made him an all-time great. Here is his overall international record

Rahul Dravid’s highest score in Tests

Rahul Dravid came into the Pakistan series on the back of a great Australia tour. After two failures with the bat, Dravid headed into the Rawalpindi Test with the series level 1-1. Dravid put in a masterclass of a performance to score 270, the third-highest score by an Indian player at that time. India won by an innings and they won a series in Pakistan for the first time.

After that tour, Dravid scored a hundred in Bangladesh and he became the first individual to score a century in all nine Test playing nations.

Rahul Dravid’s ODI record

Dravid was slow to begin with in ODIs, failing to score quickly. But, as time wore on, he became one of the most consistent performers for India. When he donned the wicketkeeper gloves, Dravid’s batting went up a notch. He became a superb finisher, especially in the 2002 tour of England. In the 2003 World Cup, Dravid was the key in ensuring India had its main composition for the whole tournament.

Perhaps, the best moment for Dravid came in the 1999 World Cup. He smashed 145 and shared a record 318-run stand with Ganguly against Sri Lanka in Taunton. In that same year, Dravid shared a 331-run stand with Sachin Tendulkar against New Zealand in Hyderabad. In that same venue four years later, Dravid smashed the second-fastest fifty by an Indian.

Rahul Dravid T20 and IPL record

In his entire career, Dravid played only one T20I but he made that memorable. During the 2011 match against England, Dravid blasted three consecutive sixes off Samit Patel to end with an entertaining 31. In the IPL, Rahul Dravid has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals. Dravid scored over 2000 runs in his six-year association with the league. His highest score was 75 and he ended the league with 11 fifties at an average of 28.85 and strike-rate of 115

Rahul Dravid’s County Stint and playing for Scotland

Not many know it, but Rahul Dravid has played for two countries. During his County stint with Kent, Dravid also played some games for Scotland.

Rahul Dravid one run off 40 balls in Sydney

In one viral video on Youtube, Dravid is engaged in a blockathon with Australia in Sydney. Dravid takes 40 balls to score one run. When he finally scored a run, he raised the bat to warm applause to the Australia crowd.

Rahul Dravid ‘angry’?

Many people thought Rahul Dravid is a gentle person. But, in one ad, he showed his angry side. In one advertisement for CRED, he shows his anger when stuck in Bangalore traffic. His iconic ‘Indiranagar ka Gunda hoon main’ became a viral hit.

Rahul Dravid controversy

In his entire 16-year career, Rahul Dravid was not involved in controversy. But, in 2004, he was accused of ball-tampering for which he was fined his match fee.

Rahul Dravid list of Test centuries

Rahul Dravid ODI list of centuries

What is Rahul Dravid’s jersey number in cricket?

Rahul Dravid’s jersey number is 19 while playing for the Indian cricket team. For the Rajasthan Royals, he spots the No.18 jersey.

What is the net worth of Rahul Dravid and the brand endorsements?

Rahuk Dravid’s net worth is USD 23 million. As per the BCCI, he earns a salary of Rs 1 crore per month, thus taking his salary for the year to Rs 12 crore. When he was the India A and Under-19 coach, he earned Rs 2.5 crore per year. Dravid has endorsed these brands in the past.

What is the birthdate of Rahul Dravid?

Rahul Dravid was born on January 11, 1973. He is currently 48 years of age.

Where is Rahul Dravid’s birthplace?

Rahul Dravid was born in Indore. His parents’ names are Sharad Dravid and Pushpa Dravid. Sharad Dravid worked in a factory while his mother Pushpa, was a professor of architecture at the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), Bangalore. Rahul also has a younger brother called Vijay Dravid. His current hometown is Bangalore

Is Rahul Dravid Kannadiga?

Actually, Rahul Dravid’s mother tongue is Marathi. But, ever since he moved to Karnataka, he is fluent in Kannada as well.

Why is Rahul Dravid called Jammy?

The interesting thing about Rahul Dravid’s nickname is he is called ‘Jammy’. His father worked for a company that makes jams and preserves. His first major advertisement saw him endorse a Jam brand Kisan.

When did Rahul Dravid marry his wife?

In 2003, Dravid married Vijeta Pendharkar. Vijeta was a surgeon based in Nagpur. In 2005, the couple gave birth to their first child. Four years later, they gave birth to another boy.

Details on Rahul Dravid kids

Rahul Dravid’s first son’s name is Samit, who was born in 2005. Samit is making big waves in Bangalore’s school cricket scene, notching up big scores. Rahul Dravid’s second son is called Anvay and he was born in 2009.