As a young kid playing Gali Cricket, he remained my inspiration. Keenly following him and his cricketing skills became my hobby sometimes. Imitating his batting style and to the extent his wicket keeping too made me so happy. In those childhood memories, he is engraved as an icon or a superhero who in true sense inspired me.
A man of a steel with nerves of iron. A wall like character who refused to give up even against hurricanes like Alan Donald, Sohaib Akhtar and even Glenn McGrath. In a game that is followed keenly by billions of expectations and its tremendous pressure, Rahul Dravid always remained Mr. Cool.
He was not a gifted child, or an artist of a game like the little master, but he surely was and will remain the greatest sportsman ever. To our generation who came from a small towns of India, Rahul remained a figure to follow. He exemplified that, with dedication, fighting spirit and persistence, you yield best results in long run. Every time he was out he will simply go back and return more resolute then ever as if challenging his own previous mistakes. Yes, as I said he wasn't a born winner but surely man of flesh like all of us who simply worked that hard that even destiny conspired to give him the success.
His marathon career and stats are well enough to shun his die-hard critics and yes even if they do... did he ever care...??
A Gentleman of Gentleman's game, a true ambassador for a sport, a good human and above all my icon retires... but you will always remain in our heart... A standing ovation to the Wall, who is now a Monument for generations...
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| Goodbye... Rahul Dravid |
