Twitter Reactions: Cricketers Wish Rahul Dravid on His 45th Birthday

There is no doubt about the fact that former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid remains arguably the most organized and technically sound batsman to emerge from India. He was a terror to the bowlers during his heydays especially in the longest format of the game. He defied the great bowlers of his time with utter disdain and always looked relaxed in the crease. When Rahul was there at the crease, there was still a possibility of India saving any match from a precarious situation. Time and again Rahul bailed India out of trouble from crunch situations in both Tests and ODI’s.

He was an epitome of class, poise and along with Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman, the quartet proved to be the best in the world during that phase. However irrespective of what he did in the field, he was respected widely by all and sundry due to his gentleman nature. He was a through and through gentleman and hardly got himself into trouble with on the field and off-field issues during his illustrious career.

The “Wall of Indian Cricket” turned 45 today and his fellow teammates and former cricketers took this opportunity to wish him a very happy birthday. However, when it came to Harbhajan Singh, he didn’t stick to the conventional way of wishing. Rather he opted for a Hindi classic song to describe the man and his immense contribution to Indian cricket.

Meanwhile coming to Rahul’s career, one of the most defiant batsmen of his time amassed a total of 13288 runs in 164 Tests t average of 52.31 smashing 36 centuries and 68 half-centuries in the process. He also donned the national colors in ODI’s for 344 matches scoring 10889 runs at an average of 39.16. He smashed 12 centuries in his ODI career. He played a solitary T20I match during his career against England which also happened to be a first T20I match and his farewell match.

Several other players wished Rahul on his 45^th birthday. Here are some of the best birthday wishes.

Wall in Pic 1 may or may not shake or break.
But Wall in Pic 2 riding me is unshakable and unbreakable. Just sit back ,relax and have a safe ride. #<!---->H<!---->a<!---->p<!---->p<!---->y<!---->B<!---->i<!---->r<!---->t<!---->h<!---->d<!---->a<!---->y<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d . Best wishes to the U-19 boys! p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->f<!---->P<!---->0<!---->7<!---->x<!---->m<!---->Q<!---->I<!---->M<!---->c

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Wishing a very happy birthday to the Great Wall of India.. #<!---->R<!---->a<!---->h<!---->u<!---->l<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d what a player..a song from Bollywood I wanna dedicate to u is NA KOI HAI NA KOI THA…..CRICKET MAI TUMHARE JAISA.. Class apart? outstanding batting skills and slip catcher?????? p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->Q<!---->W<!---->2<!---->q<!---->C<!---->f<!---->l<!---->8<!---->h<!---->R

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

I've always looked up to Rahul Bhai, not only for his cricket achievements but also for the way he leads his life with simplicity and utmost dignity. #<!---->H<!---->a<!---->p<!---->p<!---->y<!---->B<!---->i<!---->r<!---->t<!---->h<!---->d<!---->a<!---->y<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->g<!---->F<!---->j<!---->w<!---->g<!---->c<!---->h<!---->2<!---->0<!---->H

— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Happy Birthday to the legend #<!---->R<!---->a<!---->h<!---->u<!---->l<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d . I have learned a lot of skills from you and I consider myself so lucky to play under your leadership. #<!---->H<!---->a<!---->p<!---->p<!---->y<!---->B<!---->i<!---->r<!---->t<!---->h<!---->d<!---->a<!---->y<!---->R<!---->a<!---->h<!---->u<!---->l<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d #<!---->T<!---->h<!---->e<!---->W<!---->a<!---->l<!---->l p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->L<!---->b<!---->d<!---->j<!---->P<!---->T<!---->D<!---->l<!---->O<!---->b

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Friendship isn’t about being inseparable but knowing and realising that inspite of not meeting regularly nothing will change. Wishing the very best to a dear friend, Rahul with whom I have shared some great memories #<!---->H<!---->a<!---->p<!---->p<!---->y<!---->B<!---->i<!---->r<!---->t<!---->h<!---->d<!---->a<!---->y<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->9<!---->B<!---->c<!---->L<!---->l<!---->N<!---->7<!---->w<!---->F<!---->F

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Happy birthday, Rahul Bhai. A thorough gentleman who taught us the meaning of commitment and sacrifices. Getting my ODI and Test caps from you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Hope the boys make you proud in the upcoming U-19 World Cup. #<!---->H<!---->a<!---->p<!---->p<!---->y<!---->B<!---->i<!---->r<!---->t<!---->h<!---->d<!---->a<!---->y<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->f<!---->9<!---->J<!---->q<!---->Y<!---->v<!---->h<!---->n<!---->8<!---->2

— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Many happy returns of the day Rahul. Good luck with the U 19 World Cup p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->y<!---->T<!---->o<!---->o<!---->j<!---->J<!---->F<!---->W<!---->N<!---->N

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

There might be many strong walls around us but the greatest yet is the one and only, #<!---->R<!---->a<!---->h<!---->u<!---->l<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d. Happy birthday, Jammy! My best wishes for the U-19 World Cup. #<!---->H<!---->a<!---->p<!---->p<!---->y<!---->B<!---->i<!---->r<!---->t<!---->h<!---->d<!---->a<!---->y<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->R<!---->I<!---->C<!---->N<!---->J<!---->X<!---->z<!---->I<!---->W<!---->M

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

If humbleness & simplicity were measured in bricks, Rahul Dravid would have made his own 'Great Wall' of China by now. Wishing him a very Happy Birthday and good luck for the #<!---->U<!---->1<!---->9<!---->C<!---->W<!---->C ? p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->e<!---->7<!---->e<!---->S<!---->p<!---->5<!---->S<!---->i<!---->A<!---->U

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Happy birthday to the wall #<!---->R<!---->a<!---->h<!---->u<!---->l<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->s<!---->2<!---->P<!---->8<!---->n<!---->4<!---->Z<!---->B<!---->L<!---->t

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8

Here’s wishing the wall of #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a<!---->n cricket#legend #<!---->R<!---->a<!---->h<!---->u<!---->l<!---->D<!---->r<!---->a<!---->v<!---->i<!---->d a very happy birthday !! A true ambassador of the game!!

— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8