Video: ‘When I was playing my 100th Test, my India cap was robbed’
New Delhi: Former India skipper Rahul Dravid, few hours before delivering the fourth MAK Pataudi Memorial Lecture here on Tuesday, interacted with fans and shared memories of his heydays.
When he represented the team, he spoke less and came across as shy. But with time, he broke the stereotype. The retired Dravid is witty, entertaining and blunt.
The 42-year-old opened up about his favourite World Cup match and the best moment with the Indian team.
“Winning the series in Pakistan is the best moment spent with the Indian team. As for the World Cup match, it is India against Sri Lanka (1999), my 318-run stand with Sourav Ganguly in Taunton,” he said.
Watch: For little Rahul Dravid, writing was on 'The Wall'
However, Dravid — extremely particular and possessive about his bats and gear — failed to preserve his first India cap. When asked about his prized possession, he said, “I would have loved to say the India cap that I got but when I was playing my 100th Test or so, it was robbed. But I have another one which I used for a long time.”
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Dravid, an exceptional slip fielder during his times, took most catches off Anil Kumble’s bowling but he asserted: “I do miss ‘caugh Dravid, bowled Kumble’ but I feel equally happy when I see ‘caught Rahane, bowled Ashwin’. They are a good combination that will eclipse us.”
The right-handed batsman, known as a perfectionist, doesn’t think much about ‘The Wall’ – the epithet he earned but said that if ever a biopic is made on him, he would like to play the role himself.
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Current Indian spin sensation Ravichandran Ashwin, just retired Virender Sehwag also threw a couple of questions at the senior, who is also the coach of the U-19 Indian cricket team. Ashwin asked him: "How much are you enjoying the coach's role? Is it important to forget the player you were when you embark on this journey?
It's important to remember your experiences and learning as a player and recognise that the game always moves ahead. https://t.co/YjfrFDMBJ6
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 1, 2015Sehwag asked him: "How top Indian players can contribute for the betterment of cricket in India?"
I think you have done a great job by playing the Ranji season. No better way to contribute. https://t.co/G2jZ04pkyu
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 1, 2015Dravid also added that Glenn McGrath and Muttiah Muralitharan are the toughest bowlers he faced during his illustrious career in international cricket. "As far as fast bowler is concerned, McGrath was the toughest I have faced, I have played him at the peak of his career and he was truly a great bowler. When he was bowling well it was very difficult to judge your off stump.” He added, "He kept challenging you, kept testing you just around that off stump. He was a very aggressive bowler irrespective of whether he was bowling his first or second over or the 25th over, he was always at you, probing and asking questions.”
