Former India batsman Rahul Dravid, who is known as Team India's 'The Wall', is celebrating his 46th birthday on Friday. He was born on January 11, 1973, in Indore. This Karnataka batsman, who debuted in the Singer Cup against Sri Lanka in 1996, is also known as Team India's 'Mr. Reliable' and 'Wall'.
Rahul Dravid turned 46 on Friday and wishes poured in from all quarters for "The Wall" of Indian cricket. Dravid, who is regarded as one of the most technically sound batsmen of his generation, guided the Indian team to numerous memorable wins during his cricketing career and is currently the coach of India Under 19 team and India A team.
Although Dravid was born in Indore, his family had shifted to Karnataka. His studies came from Karnataka only. During an MBA from St. Joseph's College of Business Administration, his selection was made in the National Cricket Team. He has also been a State Level Hockey player.
Team India's great batsman and former captain Rahul Dravid have a unique record of hitting a century against all the teams playing Test cricket. Dravid, who is called the Gentleman of Cricket, is known hardly as a player in the difficult situations in the face of the opposition in front of the opposing team.
Under Dravid's mentorship, the Indian U-19 team lifted the World Cup in 2018.
In 2000, Wisden Cricketers named him among the Top 5 Cricketers of the Year. In 2004, he also named the ICC's best Test Cricketer of the Year. In December 2011, he became the first non-Australian cricketer who was given the Bradman Oran in Canberra. Dravid has also been honored with 'Padma Shree' and 'Padma Bhushan'.
Dravid, who retired from international cricket in March 2012, had an illustrious career spanning close to 16 years. The legendary batsman during his career amassed 24,208 international runs including 48 centuries and 146 fifties
Significantly, in Dravid's 164 tests, he scored 13288 runs at an average of 52.31 with 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries. Similarly, in 344 ODIs, Dravid scored 10889 runs at an average of 39.16, including 12 centuries and 83 half-centuries. Not only that, but Dravid was also included in the slip's finest fielders.
Many of the current crops of Indian cricketers have hailed Dravid for his mentoring and guidance skills.
Mayank Agarwal, who recently made a dream debut in Australia credited the former India captain saying that Dravid helped him manage his mental energies.
