The Wall Turns 46!

All of us might have known about the Great Wall of China but the question is , Do you know who the wall of India is?

Let me answer this question for you.
I'm talking about none other than , 'RAHUL DRAVID'. He has been one of the legends of Indian Cricket , serving the nation for 16 years. (1996-2012)

Making his international debut in 1996 , Dravid got his ODI cap on 3^rd April , 1996 against Sri lanka. Earlier that year , he earned his Test Cap on 20^th January on 1996.

Failing to make an impact on his debut against Sri Lanka , he only managed to score 3 runs but took 2 crucial catches.

It was the other way around when it came to the tests , when he was selected just 10 minutes prior to the game , where his fellow team mate Sanjay Manjrekar was out due to an ankle injury. He came in at 7 and added runs with fellow debutant Sourav Ganguly and the rest of the tail.

He fell short of 5 runs of what was about to be a dream debut , scoring a century at the LORD'S. He knicked one to the wicket keeper on 95.

This was just the beginning of what was to be called a "LEGENDARY CAREER". Rahul Dravid ended up being the 4^th highest run maker with 13,288 runs in tests after SACHIN TENDULKAR , RICKY PONTING and JACQUES KALLIS. He was also the fielder (non-wicket keeper) with the most catches in test cricket. (210).

In terms of technique , grit and patience , he is compared to none. He is who is to be called a "Complete Test Cricketer". Not only does the name "THE WALL" , but the stats speak louder. He has faced the most number of deliveries in test cricket (31,258). He has also spent 44152 minutes at the crease , which is the highest time spent on the crease by any player in test cricket.

Adding up more feathers to this blistering career , he has received the ICC Test Cricketer of the year and the cricketer of the year in it's inaugural ceremony in 2004.

He was also a part of the Fanastic 4 of the Indian Cricket namely - Sachin Tendulkar , Sourav Ganguly , VVS Laxman and himself.

After receiving a surprise ODI call up in the series against England in 2011 , he announced his retirement from ODI cricket and T20 Internationals. He later retired from Test and First class cricket in the year 2012 , calling it an end to an amazing and legendary career.

Post his retirement from International cricket , Rahul continued to be a part of the game by coaching the India-A and the U-19 side. He lead the Indian U-19 side to two consecutive World Cup finals in year's - 2016 & 2018 , where the Indian Side won the U-19 world cup defeating Australia in the finals under Prithvi Shaw. This completed the only incomplete trophy which Rahul hadn't won , The World Cup.

Here's wishing 'The Wall' , The Champion Cricketer and a much better Coach , A Very Happy Birthday! Have a great one Rahul!