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In the time of Hardik Pandyas, choose to be a Rahul Dravid


Ram30

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“I don’t know if he’s a human being. How can a human being be so selfless?”

If the only context about the above words was that they were from Harsha Bhogle about an Indian cricketer, you’d still be able to correctly guess which one.

The Wall. Jammy. Arjuna Awardee. Padma Bhushan. Mr. Dependable. A true gentleman of the gentleman’s game. One of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, and the most selfless sportsman you’ll ever know. Rahul Dravid.

rahul-dravid_abnx.jpg Image: Twitter / Rajasthan Royals

Dravid belongs to cricket’s golden age of heroes. These players are true sportsmen, in whose names and games continues to reside the power to evoke a certain reverence. Just like our grandfathers talked about the greats of their time, like Bradman or Vijay Merchant, the 80s and 90s kids speak of Dravid and his peers. And even amongst such an illustrious throng, Jammy, as he is fondly called, set himself apart.

There’s already so much written about Dravid’s extraordinary game. The stats speak for themselves. But the real mark of a phenomenal player is when even their competition waxes lyrical about them. The things they’ve said about Dravid could literally give you goosebumps, fan or no fan.

dravid-quote_29yj.jpg Image: Twitter

But it would be criminal to think it’s only cricket that makes him the beloved hero he is. No, the legend of The Wall stands tall and strong even today also because of the man Dravid has been off the field too.

In a time where barely-18-year-olds want to use “Janta hai mera baap kaun hai?” to get ahead in life, Rahul Dravid, the father, chooses to stand in a queue with his kids, without any qualms.

 

That's Rahul Dravid in a queue with his kids at a science exibhition.
No show off;
no page 3 attitude;
no celebrity airs;
no "do you know who I am?" looks;
Queueing just like any other normal parent... really admirable...

 
 
 
 

From showing fellow player Shane Watson around the city in an autorickshaw to Skyping with a fan suffering from cancer and apologizing profusely for not being there in person, Dravid’s humility and kindness have won just as many hearts as his 48 international centuries, 146 half centuries and 24,000 plus runs have.

Fans love recounting stories about meeting Dravid, their hero, and how despite hearing about it a million times, experiencing first hand his down-to-earth demeanour stumped them.

Take this gesture, for example, of Dravid penning a letter to Kevin Pieterson to help with his game. Reading his words is like listening to your favourite teacher impart an important life lesson that you will cherish forever!

Speaking of teachers and life lessons, mentoring definitely is Dravid’s second calling. As a coach to India’s U-19, he has ample valuable lessons to impart in these young players. Under his mentorship, the team won't the U-19 World Cup in February 2018. BCCI announced a ₹50 lakh incentive for head coach Dravid, and ₹20 lakh for the team staff. The selfless team player that Dravid is, he took a stance against the pay disparity and asked the BCCI to award equal pay to all the staff, including the ones that were part of the team but did not come on tour with them.

rahul-dravid-u-19_526v.jpg Image: Twitter

What could the BCCI do but acquiesce when faced with a resolve as staunch as The Wall’s?

And that’s been Dravid’s stance always, only to take what he rightfully earns. He even declined another such honour, a doctorate, because he would rather earn it through academics!

ani_mic_logo_normal.jpg
 
 

Rahul Dravid declines Bangalore University Hon. degree, says would like to earn doctrate by accomplishing some academic research in sport

 
 
 
 

The younger generation might not be able to grasp the unquestionable respect that their seniors have for Rahul Dravid. But how can you not love this man after being privy to all the above? And I say ‘love’, not ‘worship’, because Dravid would smile and humbly request you to leave the worshipping for Gods, not a mere human like him! Once you understand that, you’ll truly have grasped why the quote on this fan’s placard has become so popular….

dravid-placard_27px.jpg

Cricket is more cutthroat today than it ever has been. But at the same time, its players have amazing camaraderie. From Twitter banters to babysitting each other’s kids (Hey there, Rishabh Pant!), cricketers are as much on our social media feeds as they are on the ground and on our screens. They have a persona to maintain off the field too. One that could benefit a lot from some Dravidism.

Be it Virat Kohli’s anger issues or the recent Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul debacle on Koffee With Karan, the lesson we learn is that cricketers in today’s times could do with a little attitude adjustment. In a country that treats this one sport as a religion, while marginalizing others, the lure of success and fame can be a treacherous delivery to face.

But in those times, remember Rahul Dravid. Remember how he dealt, and continues to deal with aggression and adoration, both on and off the field.

rahul-dravid-aggression_r25x.jpg

Mind you, that level of flawless humility and strength of character might be impossible to achieve, it’s a Dravid specialty. But imbibing even a small amount of it could change their game.

Take, for example, this old MTV Bakra video about Dravid, that has resurfaced and made viral by fans on account of his birthday today and in light of Hardik Pandya’s cringeworthy KWK stint.

 
Embedded video
 

Well Hardik Pandya incident reminded me of a young Rahul Dravid who was bullied in MTV Bakra and how well he responded to it. You always can set the right example if you have it in you. Must watch!

 
 
 
 

Rahul Dravid’s life isn’t just exemplary for cricketers or sportsmen, but for everyone. Because while being celebrated for the work you do or the game you play is incredible, there’s no higher honour than being known and celebrated for being an amazing human being.

Let’s end the way we began then, with another beautiful reminder from Harsha Bhogle.

rahul-dravid-birthday1_ftny.jpg Image: Twitter

Happy Birthday, Jammy!

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4 hours ago, Ram30 said:

“I don’t know if he’s a human being. How can a human being be so selfless?”

If the only context about the above words was that they were from Harsha Bhogle about an Indian cricketer, you’d still be able to correctly guess which one.

The Wall. Jammy. Arjuna Awardee. Padma Bhushan. Mr. Dependable. A true gentleman of the gentleman’s game. One of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, and the most selfless sportsman you’ll ever know. Rahul Dravid.

rahul-dravid_abnx.jpg Image: Twitter / Rajasthan Royals

Dravid belongs to cricket’s golden age of heroes. These players are true sportsmen, in whose names and games continues to reside the power to evoke a certain reverence. Just like our grandfathers talked about the greats of their time, like Bradman or Vijay Merchant, the 80s and 90s kids speak of Dravid and his peers. And even amongst such an illustrious throng, Jammy, as he is fondly called, set himself apart.

There’s already so much written about Dravid’s extraordinary game. The stats speak for themselves. But the real mark of a phenomenal player is when even their competition waxes lyrical about them. The things they’ve said about Dravid could literally give you goosebumps, fan or no fan.

dravid-quote_29yj.jpg Image: Twitter

But it would be criminal to think it’s only cricket that makes him the beloved hero he is. No, the legend of The Wall stands tall and strong even today also because of the man Dravid has been off the field too.

In a time where barely-18-year-olds want to use “Janta hai mera baap kaun hai?” to get ahead in life, Rahul Dravid, the father, chooses to stand in a queue with his kids, without any qualms.

 

That's Rahul Dravid in a queue with his kids at a science exibhition.
No show off;
no page 3 attitude;
no celebrity airs;
no "do you know who I am?" looks;
Queueing just like any other normal parent... really admirable...

 
 
 
 

From showing fellow player Shane Watson around the city in an autorickshaw to Skyping with a fan suffering from cancer and apologizing profusely for not being there in person, Dravid’s humility and kindness have won just as many hearts as his 48 international centuries, 146 half centuries and 24,000 plus runs have.

Fans love recounting stories about meeting Dravid, their hero, and how despite hearing about it a million times, experiencing first hand his down-to-earth demeanour stumped them.

Take this gesture, for example, of Dravid penning a letter to Kevin Pieterson to help with his game. Reading his words is like listening to your favourite teacher impart an important life lesson that you will cherish forever!

Speaking of teachers and life lessons, mentoring definitely is Dravid’s second calling. As a coach to India’s U-19, he has ample valuable lessons to impart in these young players. Under his mentorship, the team won't the U-19 World Cup in February 2018. BCCI announced a ₹50 lakh incentive for head coach Dravid, and ₹20 lakh for the team staff. The selfless team player that Dravid is, he took a stance against the pay disparity and asked the BCCI to award equal pay to all the staff, including the ones that were part of the team but did not come on tour with them.

rahul-dravid-u-19_526v.jpg Image: Twitter

What could the BCCI do but acquiesce when faced with a resolve as staunch as The Wall’s?

And that’s been Dravid’s stance always, only to take what he rightfully earns. He even declined another such honour, a doctorate, because he would rather earn it through academics!

ani_mic_logo_normal.jpg
 
 

Rahul Dravid declines Bangalore University Hon. degree, says would like to earn doctrate by accomplishing some academic research in sport

 
 
 
 

The younger generation might not be able to grasp the unquestionable respect that their seniors have for Rahul Dravid. But how can you not love this man after being privy to all the above? And I say ‘love’, not ‘worship’, because Dravid would smile and humbly request you to leave the worshipping for Gods, not a mere human like him! Once you understand that, you’ll truly have grasped why the quote on this fan’s placard has become so popular….

dravid-placard_27px.jpg

Cricket is more cutthroat today than it ever has been. But at the same time, its players have amazing camaraderie. From Twitter banters to babysitting each other’s kids (Hey there, Rishabh Pant!), cricketers are as much on our social media feeds as they are on the ground and on our screens. They have a persona to maintain off the field too. One that could benefit a lot from some Dravidism.

Be it Virat Kohli’s anger issues or the recent Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul debacle on Koffee With Karan, the lesson we learn is that cricketers in today’s times could do with a little attitude adjustment. In a country that treats this one sport as a religion, while marginalizing others, the lure of success and fame can be a treacherous delivery to face.

But in those times, remember Rahul Dravid. Remember how he dealt, and continues to deal with aggression and adoration, both on and off the field.

rahul-dravid-aggression_r25x.jpg

Mind you, that level of flawless humility and strength of character might be impossible to achieve, it’s a Dravid specialty. But imbibing even a small amount of it could change their game.

Take, for example, this old MTV Bakra video about Dravid, that has resurfaced and made viral by fans on account of his birthday today and in light of Hardik Pandya’s cringeworthy KWK stint.

 
Embedded video
 

Well Hardik Pandya incident reminded me of a young Rahul Dravid who was bullied in MTV Bakra and how well he responded to it. You always can set the right example if you have it in you. Must watch!

 
 
 
 

Rahul Dravid’s life isn’t just exemplary for cricketers or sportsmen, but for everyone. Because while being celebrated for the work you do or the game you play is incredible, there’s no higher honour than being known and celebrated for being an amazing human being.

Let’s end the way we began then, with another beautiful reminder from Harsha Bhogle.

rahul-dravid-birthday1_ftny.jpg Image: Twitter

Happy Birthday, Jammy!

Image result for sunil gifs Nuv Thopu anna .. Happy birthday dravid bhai ...

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i  saw that bakra video.the girl tries hard. with dravid , he gets mad at the girl

with any of new crickters it would be kiskamiska

i heard this guy in hyd chamundi ,brokered girls to master 

 

 

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