Why there will be only one Rahul Dravid!

Best article ever on Rahul Dravid! Read on!

Incredible!

That cover drive by the left-hand debutant batsman is incredible!

And now he is taking on the spinners as well.

What a dream debut this is turning out to be. A century on Test debut and that too at Lords.

June 1996, Lords. The prince of Indian cricket is born.



Unbelievable!

He drives Shane Warne in the covers from the rough on a ball that is pitched way outside leg stump. Pure magic!

Not just this shot, this whole innings is a miracle. Done and dusted with little hope left, he is scripting Test cricket’s most dramatic win ever through his masterpiece of 281*, the greatest Test performance in 50 years.

March 2001, Kolkata. The very very special magician of Indian cricket is born.



Jubilant!

The young Turks are crafting a memorable chase against England at their own backyard.

And here comes off the shirt! What a match! what a celebration!

July 2002, Lords. The youth of Indian cricket takes the centre stage.



Memorable!

He takes one more! The famed and ferocious Aussie batting line-up is wrecked. He picks six wickets and India cruise on to a rare Test victory in Australia.

India are fighting with grit and have defeated the world champions in their home.

Dec 2003, Adelaide. India registers a memorable Test win in Australia.



309!

He is smashing the bowlers, he is smashing the records. The runs pile and history is made.

The historic tour becomes even more historic as he becomes the first Indian to score a triple hundred.

March 2004, Multan. Indian cricket's greatest entertainer is born!



Romantic!

What a backdrop he has chosen to register his maiden Test hundred!

The English summer and cool breeze become romantic as India completes a fantastic Test series victory after ages against England.

And India’s greatest leg spinner lightens the entire tour with his classy century in the final Test.

August 2007, Oval. Indian cricket’s most romantic moment is born.



The first decade of 21st century witnessed Indian cricket’s finest phase.

This phase made cricket a religion for the million crazy fans and also gave the game it’s most famed icon, the master blaster.

Then there was the aggressive and flamboyant captain who bullied the bullies and meant business wherever he walked in and took Indian cricket to newer heights.

At both ends of the batting order were two cult heroes. The one who opened the innings pumped entertainment in the game and approached batting with no regard whatsoever for the bowlers.

When at crease, he was impossible to ignore and his all madness attitude made him the favourite of masses.

At the end of the batting order was a magician who lived in his own world.

When he batted cricket looked beautiful. He was more of a artist than a batsman. He didn’t hit boundaries, he painted them with elegance, craft and magic.

There also was the gritty and strong leg-spinner who never gave up. Without spinning the ball much and despite lacking other skills he became the nation’s highest wicket taker courtesy of his never die attitude.

If these established guys were fantastic, then the young ones were even better. The left-hand batsman solidified the middle order and was a safe house in point region.

The wicket-keeper batsman blasted sixes with ease and finished games without any trouble.

This was India during that much famed decade of 2000–2010. The men in blue roared and dominated the cricket arena.



Somewhere in this strong team was a man who wasn’t as aggressive as the captain nor was as aggressive as the opener. He didn’t breathe magic like the very very special batsman nor was he hailed as the god by the masses.

But he existed.

Beyond the limelight, hiding from the flamboyance, in a quiet and content world, he was there, serving the team India.

He was there when prince of Kolkata debuted at Lords, he was at the other end when 281* was scripted and he also contributed in the series when history was re-written in Multan.

He lead the team that won the series in England and batted like a man possessed at Adelaide to help India clinch the game. In the natwest final too he burdened himself with added responsibility of wicket-keeping and allowed the youngsters to breathe freely.

He was always there. Infact none of the above performances would have been possible without his contribution. But he never demanded attention, he never asked for any spotlight neither did he appear on the front pages.

Instead, he spent hours and days and weeks and months working hard on his game. He spent years on correcting his technique and solidifying his defence. He toiled for several innings to rescue India, to allow his team mates to bask in glory.

He stood behind to push others. He dirtied himself so that others stayed clean. He sacrificed so that others achieved success. He became selfless to make Indian cricket flawless.

And that my friend is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Technique can be taught, but temperament has to be learnt. Defence can be taught but resilience comes from within. Strength can be taught but toughness comes by experience. Calmness can be taught but patience arrives through experience.

Cricketers are in plenty, but he will be always the only one! Take a bow!

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Credits: Chaitanya Halgekar's answer on quora