Go ahead...
What else should i write or say? Cricket, an indispensable sport in Indian culture and almost a religion for billion Indians.
I love playing football but certainly i hate watching 22 men fighting for a single ball in a green field, but cricket it is different and vibrant.
Whenever India plays, be it abroad or at local, i will watch it. White, Blue, yellow whatever jersey they wear, my eyes will be covering their game.
I was not born when Kapil retired or played and i am not aware of Gavaskar's mammoth run bank. But I grew up by watching SACHIN, AZHARUDDIN and a LEGEND called RAHUL DRAVID.
There was a time, i was damn crazy on NUMBER 5, just because Rahul dravid wore it in a game. times changed and now i am damn crazy on Number 7 but my respect and love towards Dravid NEVER diminished.HARD to accept the fact that Dravid RETIRES.
There was and There is Only one RAHUL DRAVID.
I agree 500% on the above line, it was said by none other than Indian God of cricket, SACHIN Tendulkar.
Am sure on one particular thing, You may be a fan of Ganguly,Dhoni or Yuvraj but at some part of time you would have admired Rahul Dravid for his dedication to his profession and i admired and i admire him.
He sacrificed and dedicated himself to this game, ask why ?
*He accepted to handle the great pressure by Captaining Indian side, which is still a nightmare for many cricketers, even SACHIN cant withstand that enormous pressure pile.
*He accepted to do the wicket keeping job, during the great world cup tour.
People say, he is not a good captain but none has got right and none has got mouth to comment about his talents as a batsman and as a cricketer.
We had a viral Joke across my neighborhood.
1) Akthar bowls a ball at 150+ kph, Rahul dravid defends it with a stroke, frustrated Akthar now bowls at same speed, but the same result there.
Now annoyed Akthar asks, "What are you?".
Dravid,"Great wall of India, stop talking go bowl".
Akthar,"I quit".
Apart from a terrific batsman, Dravid is a GOOD human, i haven't seen him fighting like school guys on pitch, he respected the game and game respected him back.
A standing ovation at OVAL, i had goosebumps by seeing thousands of Englishman standing and appreciating a SINGLE Indian.
I cant digest the fact that Dravid retires, certainly there cant be a replacement, there cant be an another wall.I stand by Tendulkar's comment.
There is and there was only one Rahul Dravid.
When most of the ex cricketers and retired heads, who have no other job than commenting and criticizing the out of form Indian cricketers, simple because those ex cricketers has NO GUTS TO stand against BCCI, BCCI pays them more, after receiving such bulk money, Ex-Players will release some lame, insane comments on out form guys and hurt them.
Fine example-Mr.Ganguly, Gavaskar etc.
Will be happy to see him playing IPL and I would love to see Jammy coaching Indian Team in future, Indian cricket team will surely miss a GENTLEMAN in their dressing room, Only there are very few left to respect the game and respect the opponent.
And finally, This wall NEVER RETIRES, A salute to Rahul Dravid - True legend.
Yo all test playing bowlers, you can feel relieved, relaxed and rejuvenated, because the man who defended your balls ranging from 50-150 kph is retiring.
I am expecting many more articles along your lines in the days to come...what does a friend do in this situation? Offer condolences? Or say never mind, or....? Am lost for words and groping for the right things to say...
ReplyDelete@SuchiSuch a swift reply :0 thank you so much ji :) glad to see your comment !
ReplyDeleteloved it.
Kudos to this great man ... I don't think that we have anyone currently to replays this legend so soon !!
ReplyDelete@theaterbalconyNicely said yaar :) thank you for the comment!
ReplyDeleteDeepak, well-done to tribute him at right moment,
ReplyDeleteThis Gentleman is also my favorite on & off the pitch,
Thank you to offer the read.
I cried like never before. I am not been able to put words to my emotions to write a post about my Idol :(
ReplyDeleteA great tribute for a legendary cricketer. A true sportsman, match-winner, and a great human being.
ReplyDeleteWell deserved tribute to the wall...the best player India has ever got...he's been matchless throughout his career, better than everyone...
ReplyDeleteNice post...:)
@Being_ACthank you sir :0 beautifully said !
ReplyDelete@Akshay Kumar GCheer up wonder kid :D
ReplyDelete@ArunTrue words bro.. TY :)
ReplyDelete@CYNOSUREthank you sarab... A true legend :)
ReplyDeleteDeepak a very nice tribute to the gentleman cricketer Rahul Dravid. I have seen so many players strutting around because of couple of good inning played by them but then Rahul has been humble human being in spite of so many such innings during his tenure in Indian Cricket. Like you said it no persons even the ex cricketers have the right to criticize or comment negatively on the current failures since even during their times Indian cricket has only flourished in spurts so too themselves. Thanks for sharing man !! The Wall of Indian cricket will be remembered for ages to come.
ReplyDeletei don't know cricket, but i do know RAHUL DRAVID :) awesome tribute to him :) nice post sir :) :) :)
ReplyDeletea man who does everything for his team
ReplyDeletewhether its wicketkeeping,opening or captaincy
true legend
last classical batsman of this era
will miss him a lot
I think he should'nt have retired. He was desperately needed in the team! Common, one bad series can't decide anything! :'( I felt very sad and disaapointed by the news! :/
ReplyDeleteThough I'm not a big cricket fan, my respect to Rahul Dravid will always remain. When it came to test cricket, my dad always used to say that "Dravid is our man". He made us proud :)
ReplyDeleteThe WALL!! Greatest ever! Hey by the way, I tagged you- http://abhyudayadoses.blogspot.in/2012/03/dreaded-eleven-questions-tag.html
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!!
Dravid is truly a legend. I've been an admirer of him during my late teenage and used to cut out the tiny pictures from the magazine to decorate my room. Such a respectful player! It's hard to say good bye though!
ReplyDeleteAu revior, Rahul Dravid! Thanks for all you did for the Indian team. You will sorely be missed!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, an awesome heartfelt write up, Dee...
I doubt we will ever get to see the magic of a Dravid-Laxman fightback. Not only was a classic student of the game, he was also the embodiment of the spirit if the game. Honest, civil, and sporting. Nice tribute, Deepak.
ReplyDeleteA true gentleman... World Cricket is rendered poor by his retirement!!!
ReplyDeletewell said deepak...and it goes for all the great cricketers who have made contribution to indian cricket.
ReplyDelete"Yo all test playing bowlers, you can feel relieved, relaxed and rejuvenated, because the man who defended your balls ranging from 50-150 kph is retiring."-Well said
ReplyDeleteRegards
village girl
oh i so agree...he has been consistent for long and very well behaved..test cricket is definiteily gonna miss him...
ReplyDeletenice post. Really it is hard to accept the fact that Dravid retires :( :(
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute, one of the best batsman of our era.
ReplyDeleteDeepak, it's always a pleasure to come back here. what a variety of reads. I have to be honest - I only watch cricket when there is a one day final of a major season but this one has made me go back to the days when I used to be a cricket geek.
ReplyDeleteIam not a cricket geek:-) sorry:-) but yes when it comes to Rahul I have always appreciated him and liked his dedication. He is our bangalore boy:-) haha
ReplyDelete@Engramyes sir, he will be remembered and MISSED :(
ReplyDelete@Uma Uthrathanks Uma :D
ReplyDelete@Chirag JoshiOMG very true bro. nicely said
ReplyDelete@Ankit Patelwhat to do :( all fate :) hmmm !
ReplyDelete@Nehahmm no regionalism here :D thank you
ReplyDelete@Abhyudaya ShrivastavaThanks a ton abhuday
ReplyDelete@Vaishthat was cute comment vaish :D
ReplyDelete@Vishal KatariaThanks bro....
ReplyDelete@Subhorup DasguptaThank you subh :D
ReplyDelete@NishaRightly said JHI:D
ReplyDelete@alka narulathanks alka :)
ReplyDelete@roopzthank you roopz :D
ReplyDelete@zradarvery true chechi !
ReplyDelete@SHANOJ Khanks shanoj.. your art on him was awesome
ReplyDelete@DSThank you DS
ReplyDelete@Kajalthank you Kajal :D
ReplyDelete@Sushma Harish BOY ?? na na.. GENTLEMAN sush :D TY :D
ReplyDeleteSo everyone who starts his career has to retire one day.I agree that he is not going to play cricket anymore but I do not understand the concept of blogging about 'the' great wall...nevertheless he was a good cricketer.
ReplyDeleteWell the last of the classic batsmen has retired.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Dee :) He stands apart from the rest! Such a humble person who keeps his cool no matter what. He retires with no regrets. A well deserving tribute :) Always a fan of his :) Takes a bow :)
ReplyDelete@The Solitary WriterSolitary writer, i respect your view, similarly you must respect our view as well.
ReplyDeleteeveryone plays cricket but everyone cant be a LEGEND.
I just shared my view point, i am not aware that writing about a Legend's retirement is a sin
@Prasad Nvery true !
ReplyDelete@Archana NagarajanHey thanks for the read and comment :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you !
He thought of Cricket team as the INA defending the Wagah Border :)
ReplyDelete@Rohan ShankarVery true !
ReplyDeleteHumble wall :D
Hi Dee! its always a pleasure to read your articles. You have a flair for writing-precisely and aptly. This one is superb. All of us who love cricket enjoyed reading this article- so nicely written about one of the most admired cricketer not only as a sportsman but also as a person. keep it up
ReplyDeleteFor me cricket will not me same again. He was the reason I watched the matches.
ReplyDeleteEvery player no matter how great he is has to retire some day! And then? They just become commentators :D Jokes apart, I also respect Rahul Dravid a lot.... And my comment before And Then? is always the case...Good that we lived in times when we saw him play :D
ReplyDeleteSuch a tribute Deepak. This one shows just how passionate u r about the sport and just how much of respect u have for this former captain. A very sweet post.
ReplyDeleteWe're definitely gonna miss Dravid. He was my fav after Sachin and Ganguly.
ReplyDeleteEven his remarks while retiring were mark of a true character. When he was asked why he did not opt to retire during one of the next series, his humble answer was "I would have loved it but i didn't want to block a youngster's place for that. THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ME". such a gentleman. We will miss him.
ReplyDeleteThere wouldn't been a better post to show gratitude to this great man. Wonderful post Deepak. Thank you.
Rahil Dravid might have retired but the Wall of gentlemanship that he built during the days of Brash behaviour from AUSTRALIAN team will always stand tall. When people had started forgetting the essence of gentlemanship related to the Game so deeply, he rekindled it.
ReplyDeleteA great post DEEPAK.
There is and there was only one Rahul Dravid. So true... He is a legend and they can't find any replacement of Rahul.. He is a true gentlemen.. I had and still have a huge crush on him.. Great tribute... Great post :D
ReplyDeleteA wall that did not crumble:) Nice tribute
ReplyDeleteRahul Dravid was always great..
ReplyDeleteI might not have anything to add to what you already have said. But this apart, what I have to say is about your blogging, (now that I get to comment here. Usually my internet doesn't allow me to comment.)
ReplyDeleteMan i have seen people writing frequently in their blogs. And i have seen people writing quality stuff though only few and far between. You, on the contrary are a conjuction of the above two categories- frequent + quality stuff.
One of a kind. Keep blogging... :)
nice tribute
ReplyDeleteThe expression "This Wall has no retirement" best fits the Gentleman who inspired the game itself. Deepak plain and plaint a good post
ReplyDeleteWonderful article on the great man.
ReplyDelete@Ms SharmaThank you so much:0 pleasure reading your comment !
ReplyDelete@Rajeshsadly true... for many i must say
ReplyDelete@jaish_vatsexactly.. happy to see him playing LIVE :) thank you.
ReplyDelete@D.NambiarThank you so much D :)
ReplyDelete@NimsrulesMy favie as well :)
ReplyDelete@MakTrue gentleman :) thanks mak :)
ReplyDelete@Neeraj KumarThanks a ton neeraj :D
ReplyDelete@Rambling Of A Single Girl In The CityCrush ? haha you must be missing him more than us :D
ReplyDelete@Rahul Bhatiathanks sir !
ReplyDelete@Abhinavvery true abhinav :D
ReplyDelete@deVaDevan, that was a great piece of cake for me, really smiled while reading it :) thank you for appreciating me with such beautiful words.
ReplyDelete@Priya SreeramThank you so much :)
ReplyDelete@Mohit AgrawalThanks a ton M0hit.
ReplyDelete@videogamerThank you so much :)
ReplyDeletei've one obligation to make.... dravid is one among the greatest of cricket have ever seen.. proper phrase will be like this "uncrowned king and unappreciated personality of cricket" he didnt got what he deserves.. the obligation is that.. ganguly is not a lame commentator, he does only good for the nation and the team, he wont hurt out of form players, he is the only one in the cricketing world of India who got a working head, he thinks and understands the right decisions, he's the only one who understands that dhoni is a gambler and is doing the opposite way what India needs... what u said about gavaskar is right.. but Not ganguly..
ReplyDeletewow thats very good..Your thought is so nice and am totally appreciating with you..
ReplyDeletehere is my blog
http://gamesfo-cricifo.blogspot.in
Thank You..
No one can ever replace this most Dependable Batsman.... Proud to be a RD fan.Thanks for sharing..Nice post..Keep posting on "The WALL "
ReplyDeleteThis is a very nice article :)
ReplyDeleteDravid is my cricketing idol. YOur post sums up his contributions.
Read my piece on Dravid, if you have time :)
http://www.paritosh-anand.blogspot.in/2011/07/wall-that-inspires.html