Before you begin, let me put a caveat – Do not proceed to read ahead if you are not a team player, a “middle class” born with a moral upbringing – taught at a young age that studies, discipline and an honest work ethic are the only keys to success.
Isn’t that what being “middle class” is all about? Toiling away while flamboyance gets rewarded with all the accolades and prizes. Keep fighting for survival while other waltz away with all the sponsorship deals, lucrative IPL contracts and endorsements. Adapt yourself to various roles while your marquee players get their appointed places in the sun.
I admired Saurav Ganguly for his leadership skills and was very sad when he quit cricket. I’ll thank Sachin and Laxman for the master class when they’re done. But when Dravid decides to call it a day, I’ll probably feel a part of my life has gone numb. I would want to go and hug the man and tell him that I am with him. It’s not just for him but for me.
Isn’t that what being “middle class” is all about? Toiling away while flamboyance gets rewarded with all the accolades and prizes. Keep fighting for survival while other waltz away with all the sponsorship deals, lucrative IPL contracts and endorsements. Adapt yourself to various roles while your marquee players get their appointed places in the sun.
Rahul Dravid exemplifies a typical Indian “middle class” persona with his demeanour on and off the field. Recalled an interview where he was asked what car he drives. He replied by saying that a car for him is a vehicle that takes a person from place A to place B. That’s “middle class” for you.
Around the time when India was looking at another batsman, he switched over to keeping wickets so that the team could accommodate an extra batsman. Even opened the innings to cover up for injured players. Sacrifice – That’s “middle class” for you.When you play the game for over 15 years and score over 23,000 runs in international cricket, you expect to be treated like a demi-god with all mortals clamoring for a space alongside you. But not Dravid. He, according to many, probably played his cricket at the wrong time when the Indian team had a genius like Sachin, a war lord like Saurav, magicians like Azharuddin and Laxman and swashbucklers like Sehwag and Yuvraj. What helped him “fit in” was his middle class upbringing.
It’s not easy playing the second fiddle when you’re going great guns. But Dravid has had 15 long years to get used to it. Think of a Scottie Pippen, a Jarizinho or for that matter an Iniesta or a Xavi. In his own words he does admit “I would be the first one to admit that I'm not a complete player," he said during an interview. "There are very few. You have to make your own assessments, set your own standards. Sachin [Tendulkar] and [Brian] Lara are in a different league. For the rest of us mere mortals, it's a constant learning process. I know my strengths, just as I know my limitations. In the end, you have to be effective and choose a method that works for you and the team over a period of time."Dravid’s now 38 years same as me. And for my generation, he represents the ideal middle class working ethic. It is only now, towards the end of his career, that I realize how much this has sub-consciously grown on me.
There are players who wear the tricolor on their helmets but Rahul Dravid’s a man who wears the tricolor on his heart. He may not have the same number of centuries as Sachin, a strike rate as Sehwag or leadership skills like Ganguly but what makes him superior that everyone would be his selfless, disciplined, devoted and generous approach to the game.
Shane Warne once said: "The fortress could also describe Rahul. Because once, Dravid was set, you needed a bowling equivalent of a dozen cannons firing all at the once to blast him down."
That is Rahul Dravid for you. Lack of acknowledgement never demotivated him. He has still maintained that selfless approach towards life and his love - Cricket. No matter if the selectors pick him or drop him, he will continue making contributions to Indian cricket with his selfless, yet (intentionally) unnoticed efforts.
It is not about the individual, but what he stood for. As I reach a stage of my own career where politics plays as much of a role in my professional success as intellect or merit, and am disillusionedly weighing the pros and cons of different options open to me; I want to tell myself that there is hope. That the Dravid in me - hardworking, disciplined, apolitical, performance driven, honest - has a chance!! In this India of today and tomorrow, in this world of today and tomorrow.
Very well Said. Dravid indeed represents many of us and every one of us are like bricks in The Wall. One of the interesting articles I came across on RD.
ReplyDeleteCannot agree more. He has rightfully set an example; not just for young budding cricketers of this country, but for a common man on how to live a honest and sincere life.
ReplyDeletePerfectly put Sanjeev,in fact I recall meeting him for some biz upon the insistence of Anil Kumble in Bangalore.His humility in giving documents or searching for few more with out crib actually floored me.Usually we have people who are successful to such levels throwing their skin & weight around but this chap was too cool but has shown absolute determination in most of the innings he has played.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully and perfectly said.. Dravid has always represented class, sincerity, grit, honesty and as u say *middle class* values which are so rare today.. he has always been over-shadowed no matter what kind of a great knock he played but that never pulled him down.. he is class apart and i cant even imagine watching cricket without Dravid..
ReplyDeleteAwesomely written mate! Straight from the heart... what a way to salute to the great wall of India, If there ever be a 'paramveer chakra' to be awarded for a cricketer, without a doubt my first pick will be Dravid.
ReplyDeleteIt reflects more of Sanjeev and the Rajput inside and you have masqueraded as Rahul to express your feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Amit Sharma
Brilliantly written buddy. A true ode to the Wall of the Indian Cricket. I am sure the Wall himself would read this and hope you get a call from him, for making this effort for him. You carried your heart out, in no "Middle Class" way..
ReplyDeleteYes you are right !! There is indeed a Rahul Dravid in all of us. That is true human quality of bing humble and resiliant.
To my mind, this would be the best written piece in your blog, my friend. Direct Dil Se.. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteDRAVID a Role Model is a sheer example for all of us. He is Master Piece wall built with Commitment, Supreme Talent, Simplicity.
ReplyDeleteWe all owe a bow to this Gentleman.
Rahul is the Best.
I dont know bout dravid as a man neither I ever liked him playing specially since i love seeing aggression in the field but darling you write exceptionally well. That's a quality you have and is liked amongst all our group members. Keep writing same way. Best wishes. Chetan..
ReplyDelete