Bengaluru: During his playing days, legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid had many firsts to his credit and he added yet another feather to his cap. Saturday was a historic moment for Dravid as he came back to his home ground as the head coach of the Indian men's team for the first time.
Back in March 1998, Dravid had walked in to bat for the first time at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he got a paltry score of 23 and 6 runs in both the innings against Mark Taylor-led Australian team. That match was lost by India to Australia by 8 wickets, and now in 2022 the indomitable Dravid would like to set the record straight in a different capacity against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Pink-Ball Test at his home ground. Will he succeed?
Going by his track record as the head coach so far it seems possible, though he had a very bad beginning to the role of head coach. India won the first Test against South Africa, but lost the next two matches, conceding the three-Test series in South Africa.
Dravid, fondly called Jammy, however, made amends in his first home series. India whitewashed touring New Zealand in T20I series and then pulverized them in two-match Test series.
Dravid, who is affectionately called The Wall owing to his batting skills, has some memorable moments at this ground. To pay a befitting tribute to him, his home cricketing body, Karnataka State Cricket Association, erected a massive Wall, measuring 27 feet by 15 feet at the main entrance of Chinnaswamy stadium, celebrating his 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs. The Wall has been constructed using 10,000 blocks.
Dravid is a member of 10 thousand run club comprising six-legendary cricketers in the world-- Sunil Gavaskar, Allan Border, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Waugh, Brain Lara. Dravid deserved such a tribute, considering his dogged determination and inclination to learn in his own inimitable style.
During his illustrious 16 years career, he scored 13,288 and 10,889 runs in Test and ODIs, respectively. Will he learn the art of coaching in international cricket? Time alone would tell. (UNI)