Dravid completes 15 years in cricket

[Sachin=GOD]

The frenetic pace of international cricket increasingly shows that ageing stalwarts have to constantly rediscover themselves to stay in the race with younger players. While Australia furiously debates the Simon Katich controversy, India have risen to the No. 1 ranking, thanks to the calmer atmosphere in the team in the last four years and the presence of players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. While Tendulkar continues to set his own standards, Dravid found the last tour to South Africa testing his resolve to the limit in the final phase of his illustrious career after the runs dried up against a potent bowling attack. After a six-month break, the 38-year-old batsman is now hoping to find a fresh resolve, starting with the Test series against West Indies, which will be followed by the tour to England. A keen student of the game that he’s, Dravid used his first meeting with coach Duncan Fletcher at the Sabina Park nets on Friday to talk about finer points of batting. Dravid was slightly nostalgic about returning to the hallowed ground where he achieved one of his biggest career highs during the 2006 tour. His typically resolute batting as skipper made all the difference in clinching a series triumph in the Caribbean after 35 years. He will complete 15 years in international cricket when the first Test kicks off on Monday. The player hoped he could help bring about a smooth transition in Indian cricket by guiding the younger lot on a pitch that promises plenty of pace and bounce. Sachin’s inspiration Dravid acknowledged Sachin Tendulkar's amazing run inspires him and wanted the likes of Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina to establish themselves like the batch of 1996 -- Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Dravid -- did. “I am still enjoying my game. It is good to sort of re-connect with the team. That is why I still want to keep playing. I love the context, the energy of playing Test cricket for my country.” He is hopeful the transition in the Indian team will be smooth. “Many of them are a lot more experienced than me or Ganguly or Laxman were when we came in. A similar group is coming through and hopefully two or three of them can go on to have a long career like we have had. If you can do that we know the team will be in good health.” There is hardly anything left to achieve for Dravid, who is the third most prolific batsman in the history of Test cricket, and also holds the record for most catches in Tests. However, he will fancy his chances against the West Indies. “There is a certain amount of pressure to score irrespective of what you are,” said Dravid. “You know there is a lot you have done that can't be taken away. So you do feel relaxed from that point. But when you go into a Test you still feel nervous. That will never change whether I play my first game or my 151st.”

Hindustan Times A legend and an inspiration for youngsters :clap:

[Number]

countless innings of highest class , my favorites out of them are 180 at kolkata and 233 at adielede ,both of them under immense pressure ... "The Wall" was actually the big reason we remained unconquered by the best side of that time (or probably all time).

[say2chander]

Great player. All about grit and solidity. Hope to see some of those in English and Australian summer

[phaedrus]

congratulations to the wall from one of the lucky ones to have seen his entire career. what a man :bow:

[Sachinism]

@rameshsrivats: Rahul Dravid is a great cricketer. But I really thought he'll take 30 odd years to complete 15 years in test cricket

[Sidhoni]

:hatsoff: :hatsoff: What a player!He is shadowed by the presence of Sachin otherwise he would have been the best batsmen in world IMO.Such an humble personality, a real gentleman!!

[Jersey #10]

legend who went almost unpraised or under praised for his contributions because of the likes of Sachin and some others. Today I am actually realizing Dravid's true importance in making team India what it is. The wall was, is and always will be the solidest wall to have walked on a cricket field. Not only has he made great contributions to the team but has always kept reality in check. Always down to earth and humble God of defense

[Karan114]

countless innings of highest class ' date=' my favorites out of them are 180 at kolkata and 233 at adielede ,both of them under immense pressure ... "The Wall" was actually the big reason we remained unconquered by the best side of that time (or probably all time).[/quote'] The 148 under overcast skies at Headingley 2002 and 68 and 81 on a spiteful pitch at Jamaica in 2006 were also epic performances, amongst many others as you say. What a player he has been for India, a perfect role model too :hatsoff:

[vvvslaxman]

150th Test. Congrats

[Sid]

Hope the LEGEND ends his career on a high.......................

[Javier]

I hope he fails big time against the windies and should be dropped from the tour to england, eventually ending his career. He has been in the team on the basis of his past performces for last 3 years. We need class players like Tendulkar and Laxman who score against big guns like SA and Australia and not some boring wall who for the past few years perform only against Windies and NZ.

[tatters]

I hope he fails big time against the windies and should be dropped from the tour to england' date=' eventually ending his career. He has been in the team on the basis of his past performces for last 3 years. We need class players like Tendulkar and Laxman who score against big guns like SA and Australia and not some boring wall who for the past few years perform only against Windies and NZ.[/quote'] Wow. That is incredibly disrespectful for one of the most gutsy fighters India have ever had on a cricket field.

[Sachin=GOD]

I hope he fails big time against the windies and should be dropped from the tour to england' date=' eventually ending his career. He has been in the team on the basis of his past performces for last 3 years. We need class players like Tendulkar and Laxman who score against big guns like SA and Australia and not some boring wall who for the past few years perform only against Windies and NZ.[/quote'] ok.

[Karan114]

I hope he fails big time against the windies and should be dropped from the tour to england' date=' eventually ending his career. He has been in the team on the basis of his past performces for last 3 years. We need class players like Tendulkar and Laxman who score against big guns like SA and Australia and not some boring wall who for the past few years perform only against Windies and NZ.[/quote']

[Cricket Tragic]

I hope he fails big time against the windies and should be dropped from the tour to england' date=' eventually ending his career. He has been in the team on the basis of his past performces for last 3 years. We need class players like Tendulkar and Laxman who score against big guns like SA and Australia and not some boring wall who for the past few years perform only against Windies and NZ.[/quote'] Wouldn't it be better to just hope that he scores runs in England? Bad news for you. Even if he fails in WI (unlikely given their bowling), he will be playing in England. :yay:

[f.b.m]

I hope he fails big time against the windies and should be dropped from the tour to england' date=' eventually ending his career. He has been in the team on the basis of his past performces for last 3 years. We need class players like Tendulkar and Laxman who score against big guns like SA and Australia and not some boring wall who for the past few years perform only against Windies and NZ.[/quote'] Agree bro. brb making dua for dravid to fail and my taxi to succeed.

[ravishingravi]

Tbh, this man is largely responsible for india's revival abroad this decade.

[Andy]

Legend is an Understatement for Rahul Dravid. Another cricketer made his debut same day.

[punjabi_khota]

Legend is an Understatement for Rahul Dravid. Another cricketer made his debut same day.

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: Tu saala MUFC ka MUFC hi rahega.

[AbhishekS]

Dravid is a legend, no doubt about it. One of the very few Indian batsmen who has more than half of his tons outside India and his average is also better in the away matches. And he performs exceptionally well in Indian conditions too. Rahul Dravid has the capabilities to score runs on fast, bouncy and challenging wickets. One of the greatest batsmen in Indian cricket and in and in the world. For me, in test cricket, Dravid is even greater than Sachin.