Former India captain, Rahul Dravid celebrates his 48th birthday on Monday (January 11). And while he may not be on social media, his fans, including current and former cricketers, sent wishes on Twitter reminiscing the batting legend’s career.
Dravid, an epitome of patience, was born on 11th January 1973 in the city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh. He played for Karnataka in domestic cricket. He scored a magnificent 95 on his Test debut at Lord’s against England.
Rarely he looked back as he marched on to score 13288 Test runs, 10889 ODI runs and smashed 31 in his only T20I game for India. He holds the record of facing most balls faced in Test cricket and taking the maximum number of catches by a Test fielder. Dravid’s characteristics of defiance, stoic, and patience among many others, earned him the nickname of The Wall.
The right-hander is known to be the jack of all trades when the Indian team needed someone to step up in any position: be it opener, keeper, middle-order, finisher; he might have not even denied if asked to open the bowling.
He was named one of the best five cricketers of the year by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack in 2000 and received the Player of the Year and the Test Player of the Year awards at the inaugural ICC awards ceremony in 2004. Known for his very ‘Gentleman’ attitude, on and off the field, Dravid was invited as the first non-Australian cricketer to deliver the Bradman Oration in 2011.
Dravid has also captained Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premer League (IPL) – he has amassed 2174 runs batting for the two franchises in the IPL.
After retirement from international cricket, Dravid coached the Prithvi Shaw led Under-19 team to the Under-19 World Cup in 2018. Currently, he is the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) where players from all around the country come to recover from their injuries for rehabilitation and to improve their skills.
Here is how cricketers wished Rahul Dravid on his 48th birthday:
Warm birthday wishes to a special friend with whom I shared a lot of wonderful memories and who continues to inspire us. Wishing you a very special birthday and a wonderful year ahead Rahul. pic.twitter.com/S3hWufvD9r
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2021
One of my favourite teammates from my Karnataka U-19 days, my childhood buddy and above all, a great human being. Happy birthday, Rahul Dravid. You’re the epitome of perfection. Have a great year ahead, Jam #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/xtsKXMF93Z
— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) January 11, 2021
Happy Birthday Jammy!
A perfect birthday 🎁 given to you by #TeamIndia. 😃 pic.twitter.com/cul5KhPyYO
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 11, 2021
509 international caps🧢
24,208 international runs🏏
48 international tons 👍
Most catches (210) in Tests 👌
Over 10,000 runs in both Tests & ODIs 👏Wishing Rahul Dravid – former India captain & one of the finest batsmen to have ever graced the game – a very Happy Birthday 🎂👏 pic.twitter.com/X2E181x5jK
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2021
Kehte hain Deewaaron ke bhi kaan hote hain. Yeh deewar ke kaan toh hain hi jo sabko achhe se sunte hain, balki bahut saaf hriday aur mann bhi hai. When we had the Wall, we had it All. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid , wish you fulfillment in all that you do. pic.twitter.com/DbV6VPUzPh
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2021
Wishing the the Great Wall of India a very happy birthday. Have a fabulous day Jammy pic.twitter.com/nVPY3SAhcm
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 11, 2020
Inspiration. Role Model. Legend. Wishing the great man , Rahul Dravid a very happy birthday #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/x9fRuZ6so9
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 11, 2020
My inspiration…
Always looked up to him…
Made my International debut alongside him…
Always a guiding light and a role model to me…
He’s someone whom I truly treasure. Wish Rahul bhai a very happy birthday! pic.twitter.com/OjM8caaZeN— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) January 11, 2020
Excellent cricketer. Excellent person. 47. Cruising into another fine innings. Rahul Dravid.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 11, 2020
Happy Birthday Rahul Sir. Thankyou for your guidance and wishing you the best 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/KAvyfJ1xHY
— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) January 11, 2020
Wishing #RahulDravid a very Happy Birthday! An inspiration for many..! Have a wonderful year ahead! #TheWall #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid pic.twitter.com/hGz7wzxftG
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) January 11, 2020
Wishing a very happy birthday to Rahul Dravid, the ever dependable man for multiple roles in Indian Cricket. Starting as a batsman to becoming a mentor, your contribution to Indian cricket is unparalleled. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 11, 2020
An absolute master class on and of the field !! Happy birthday to the Great Wall !! #Rahul Dravid pic.twitter.com/qhAqXnlHYF
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) January 11, 2020
2️⃣0️⃣ years of pure blockbuster performances!
Happy Birthday, legend 🐐#RahulDravid #HallaBol #RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/SxDMyb7YFo
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 10, 2020
👉 Scored over 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs
👉 Faced more Test deliveries than any other batsman
👉 Only player to be involved in two 300-plus ODI partnerships
👉 48 international centuriesHappy birthday, Rahul Dravid 🎂
🗯️ What are your favourite memories of 'The Wall'? pic.twitter.com/m3tvtNA3g6
— ICC (@ICC) January 11, 2020
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