Rahul Dravid for Bharat Ratna? Legendary Indian cricketer compels Indian Government

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for India's highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna' to be given to Rahul Dravid. Dravid recently retired from the role of India's head coach after the T20 World Cup 2024 win in Barbados.

He played a vital role in India's title win recently. In Dravid's tenure, India reached three ICC tournament finals in a year. While they lost the WTC finals and ODI World Cup final in 2023, India clinched the T20 World Cup trophy in 2024 to end Dravid's successful tenure on a high.

Watch: Arshdeep Singh receives grand welcome in hometown Mohali after T20 World Cup heroics

Sunil Gavaskar lauds Rahul Dravid for his valuable contributions

In his column for the Mid-Day, Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on Rahul Dravid and his coaching staff for playing a starring role in India's title win. Gavaskar recounted Dravid's playing days when he used to do anything that was in favor of his team.

"While the players naturally took all the limelight as they should, there was the support staff led by the one and only Rahul Dravid who also had a massive role to play in the victory. During the time he was playing, Dravid did anything that was asked of him. When an Indian wicket fell around the dying minutes of the day’s play, he would walk out to bat. Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn’t play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so?" Gavaskar wrote in his column.

"When asked to keep wickets, he (Rahul Dravid) would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition. That’s the team-oriented attitude that he inculcated in the team and if that continues, then the Indian team will win many more trophies and series," Gavaskar added.

"His (Rahul Dravid's) calmness also would have rubbed off on the team as could be seen in the way they kept their nerve in the close games against Pakistan and the final when South Africa looked like they were running away with the game. He has left on a high with the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation," he added

Sunil Gavaskar asks for 'Bharat Ratna' for Rahul Dravid

Gavaskar then advocated for 'Bharat Ratna' to be given to Rahul Dravid for his valuable contributions to Indian cricket. Along with working as a senior team coach and a player, Dravid has also been the coach of the India Under-19 team and India A team. He has also worked as the chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Sunil Gavaskar said "Rahul Dravid deserves a Bharat Ratna". [Abhishek Tripathi] p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->j<!---->j<!---->w<!---->w<!---->h<!---->r<!---->y<!---->O<!---->T<!---->4

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

"It would be apt if the Government of India honors him (Rahul Dravid) with the Bharat Ratna, for that’s what he has truly been. Great player and captain of the country with famous away series wins in the West Indies when wins there really meant something and also won in England being only among the three Indian captains to have won a Test match series there, a wonderful talent groomer in his earlier role of the chairman of the National Cricket Academy and then as coach of the senior team," Gavaskar wrote.

"(Rahul) Dravid’s achievements have given joy across all party lines and across caste, creed, and communities and brought untold happiness to the whole country. Surely, that deserves the highest accolade the country can give," Gavaskar further added.

India is currently in search of a new head coach after the departure of Rahul Dravid. Former India batter Gautam Gambhir is leading the race and his name is likely to be announced in a few days.