Published: Jan 13, 2016, 02:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 13, 2016, 02:48 PM (IST)
Cricket legend Rahul Dravid turned 43 on Monday and on this occasion; he shared video on his Facebook account, thanking his fans. Through the video titled, “My First Class Journey”, Dravid shared the story of his journey in First-Class cricket that began 25 years ago for Karnataka. The biggest moment came in June 1996, when at 23, he made his Test debut for India, at the iconic Lord’s.
Dravid posted on his Facebook page: “I was told today that 43 is the new 18. So let me share a story that started almost 25 years ago.”
The video carries Satish Acharya’s illustrations and Dravid’s voice over, and “The Wall” narrates his journey, taking us through the time he got a call-up to the Karnataka Ranji team to his 82 on First-Class debut, his ‘love at first sight ‘with Eden Gardens, being a difficult room-mate, sharing the dressing room with the likes of GR Vishwanath, Syed Kirmani, Venkatesh Prasad, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, travelling in train during Ranji Trophy matches, winning the championship and goes on to share more anecdotes. ALSO READ: Rahul Dravid: 10 little-known facts and anecdotes about the great Indian batsman
He spoke of his first fifty in First-Class cricket which made him feel that he belonged to the big stage. Revealing how excited he was during his visit to Eden Gardens; he ended up drinking several bottles of colas and munching a lot of snacks. However he remained focused with his batting and ended up scoring his first First-Class hundred there. It was the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Bengal and the opposition had another youngster named Sourav Ganguly. While Dravid scored 134 in that game, Ganguly managed 74. Just over five years later, both went on to make their Test debut for India in the same game at Lord’s.
He recalls of a time before that, when everyone greeted him asking when he would play for India and how the tournament is learning ground and teaches one of “humility and patience”. Dravid is currently the coach of the India A and Under-19 sides, and his words in this video should act as an encouragement for any budding cricketer.
Dravid loves to travel and his excitement got to a new level when in 2004 he visited the sites of Indus Valley Civilisation in Pakistan. Playing domestic cricket gave him a chance to travel around his vast country.
The video ends with Dravid speaking on the transition to the next level. He recalled how he was involved in a catching session at Lord’s, when the then skipper Mohammad Azharuddin while walking to the field for a toss, came to him and said, “Rahul, tum aaj khel rahe raho’ (Rahul, you are playing today).”
The rest is history. Dravid scored 95 in his first innings and for the next 16 years; he went on to be one of India’s finest batsmen of all-time. This is a must watch video:
Rahul Dravid – My First Class JourneyThank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes. I was told today that 43 is the new 18. So let me share a story that started almost 25 years ago. – RD
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