"Rahul Dravid Said, I Am Not Gonna Travel That Much And Go Back 6.5 Hours To Bat For 3 Hours" - Hemang Badani Recalls His Conversation With Team India Head Coach
Published - 13 Jan 2023, 12:40 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Team India head coach Rahul Dravid is known as the “Great Wall of India” for his patience and resilience. When Dravid represented India, opposing bowlers found it difficult to dismiss him once he was in the crease because of his ability for saving the match in any situation. Hemang Badani spoke about Dravid’s attitude while travelling from Bengaluru to Chennai to play in the Chennai League.
Rahul Dravid represented India in 164 Tests, 344 ODIs, and one T20I. The right-handed batsman has scored 13288 runs in the longest format with 36 centuries at an average of 52.3 in Tests and 10889 runs in ODIs with 12 centuries. The 50-year-old has led Team India for a short period and has also played the role of the wicketkeeper. Dravid took over the role of Team India’s head coach in November 2021.
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Rahul Would Only Keep The Ball On The Floor – Hemang Badani
In a video shared by IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, former Indian cricketer Hemang Badani said that Rahul Dravid would bat for hours in the Chennai League. Badani recalled a fun conversation, saying Dravid never wavered from his style of play even after scoring a century.
“He lived in Bangalore and this cricket was happening in Chennai. And he used to come over to Chennai to play the Chennai league, which is one of the most prolific leagues in India. He would come in and churn 100s after 100s. Every game. And I was somebody who was skilled but I would loft the ball and everything. Go out there and get out. Lofting and getting out long off and stuff,” Badani said.
“Rahul would only keep the ball on the floor. At one point I said, Rahul you have got one 100, you got two, you got four, you’ve got 5. What the hell is happening Rahul? Aren’t you bored? Don’t you like to try something else here?,” he added.
A ? story overheard in our dressing room that will make you ? birthday boy #RahulDravid a bit more! ?#OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/5IBM8BIPeo
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 11, 2023
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I Am Going To Bat 5 Hours To Get A Hundred – Rahul Dravid
Badani revealed Dravid’s answer to the question, saying that the legendary batsman comes to play with a clear mindset of batting for 5 hours as he has travelled for 6–6.5 hours.
“He said Hemang, it’s quite simple for me. I take a night train. In those days there were no aircrafts and they were very expensive. I take the night train. I travel for 6-6.5 hours. I am not gonna travel that much and go back 6.5 hours to bat for 3 hours. I am going to bat 5 hours to get a hundred. And it’s as simple as that for me. If I am travelling so much and playing the game, I better make sure that I am in there for 5 hours,” Badani further revealed.
“He said one more thing, which was that in the nets, you bat for 20-odd minutes. What do you do after that as a batter? I’ll bat another minute, I’ll bat for another 5 balls. You got another 10 balls. Coach, can I bat for another 5 balls, mate can you bowl another 10 balls to me. He said if I get 100, I ma batting 150 balls or 170 balls. Why should I not play. Otherwise, I am begging to bowlers in the nets. He would never get out,” he concluded.
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