For a change, let me start this article with a question and it is especially for cricket lovers. Who is the most humble, ground to earth, had no enemies, calm and talented in Indian cricket so far (it could be the present or former players)?
One would’ve already had the image of him in their head without a mention of the name. There may be many players in your mind but most of the Indian cricket lovers say it is Mr. Dependable Rahul Dravid, isn’t it?
If we have to pinpoint at one man in Indian cricket who was humble throughout his career, handled fame the best and was grounded when at the peak, is termed a legend and it is for sure former Indian skipper and ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid.
People have immense respect for him for his calm and composed nature both on and off the field. He is a huge name in India but has no tantrums of a celebrity. Despite having celebrity status, he is still just another commoner outside the cricketing circles.
These are not the words we read in the same sentence usually. Recently the former Indian skipper who served Indian cricket for over 16 years was fulfilling his duty as a parent. A picture of him standing in a queue whilst attending a science fair at his son’s school along with other parents has gone viral on social media.
That’s Rahul Dravid in a queue with his kids at a science exibhition.
No show off;
no page 3 attitude;
no celebrity airs;
no “do you know who I am?” looks;
Queueing just like any other normal parent… really admirable… pic.twitter.com/NFYMuDqubE— South Canara (@in_southcanara) November 23, 2017
The coach of the India A and U19 team found time out of his otherwise packed schedule to spend some quality time with his family and children. This has exactly taken social media by storm, with many applauding the gesture and citing the difference with other celebrities who usually have the paparazzi around while visiting public places.
While a few claimed that it indeed was a pleasure to find him at the school compound, a few others credited Dravid for being the ideal parent.
Twitter Reactions:
He indeed is. My Didi is his son’s class teacher. He is very regular for the PTM, she said and no vvip tantrums. pic.twitter.com/5beVECtmFQ
— Rajiv K Mishra (@rajivjournalist) November 24, 2017
We were there too. It was a pleasure to see Dravid walk around with the commonfolk łïkę one of us. pic.twitter.com/TRkVoxJJtx
— Sudhindra (@sudhindranaib) November 24, 2017
He will be the people’s champion, always! 💯❤️
— Hemant Shivakumar (@hfm92) November 23, 2017
He is a gentleman… Only respect I have for the wall is this guy.
— Vineet डामोर (@hajjersuro_) November 23, 2017
That’s why he called as “True Gentlemen” in cricket word.
He is known for his simplicity.— Nishkama karma (@NishkamaKarma) November 23, 2017
As a youngster, I once got a seat close to the pavilion. Was constantly staring at Dravid with eyes full of admiration.After a while,he got up from his seat, came to me & whispered “Don’t stare at me. I’m just like you. No different from you.” He became a real hero to me.
— Magizhmaran FCA (@elay_sad) November 24, 2017
it needs to come from within….indians are egoist…they will not change…society will not change..just you be good…after admiration needs further effort by oneself…. he is a good person, shown many times .
— Rohit Sharma (@aatish_rohit) November 23, 2017
This isn’t the first time however that Dravid’s humble gestures have won him praise.
While many other former cricketers are popular with their social media cameos or commentary theatrics, the 44-year-old Dravid turned his focus towards sharpening and schooling the rising cricketers from India. Dravid was associated with the controversial Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals and also mentored Delhi Daredevils in the last couple of seasons.
The current India U-19 coach was recently admired for complimenting team Nepal’s coach after India was outmatched by Nepal in Under-19 Asia Cup.
Also, Dravid was recently in the news when he guarded the junior cricketers of the country against the Yo-Yo test that has been the fitness benchmark for selection in the national team. It was reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wanted to implement the fitness test for selection in the junior teams as well.
But Dravid said that the youngsters should be assessed based on their talent and groomed into the future stars for the national team and it wouldn’t be ideal to keep them out because of a fitness parameter.