Three weeks after announcing his retirement from domestic and international cricket, Rahul Dravid said at the BCCI's felicitation function here on Tuesday that he had made a pact with himself: not to cry.
“I have been tested to the limit today. The sentiments expressed by Anil Kumble, V.V.S. Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been touching. Sometimes I feel I have not retired what with the IPL keeping me busy. Maybe when June comes, it will start sinking in.
“I may not be playing for India anymore, but I will watch this young Indian team with great interest with a cup of tea and biscuit in hand. I want the Indian team to be a strong force on and off the field,'' said Dravid, during the course of a 15-minute speech to the audience that included former Indian captains and players like Madhav Apte, Bapu Nadkarni, Bishan Singh Bedi, Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Dhoni as well as BCCI officials.
Dravid did not forget to thank the BCCI for taking Indian cricket to great heights. “When I went to England in 1996, I felt that the Indian cricket team was treated like a second class citizen. We played in the first half of the season and at small grounds.
“The cricketers have changed Indian cricket by leaps and bounds, but the BCCI has played its role by making the Indian team the big boys of international cricket. Our generation of players have left a legacy for Mahi [Dhoni] and his team to take forward,'' said Dravid, who was presented a silver salver by Sanjay Jagdale, Secretary, BCCI, and Anuragh Thakur, Joint Secretary, BCCI.
Dravid also made a special mention of Ganguly, under whom he was deputy for five years.
“We had our ups and downs, but eventually we came out with flying colours. When I sit back and take it all, I think I have lived my dream of playing for India, and with my heroes. So blessed I have been to live the dream for 16 years.”
He thanked the groundsmen, scorers, umpires and the organisers of cricket matches.
Dhoni's pat
Dhoni was the last among the cricketers to speak after Kumble, Laxman and Ganguly.
“Rahul [Dravid] was always ready to give his best for the team and the country. He always had a solution and said yes. Dravid would walk through the obstacles, not around it. That was his greatness,'' said Dhoni.
BCCI president N. Srinivasan said through a recorded message: “There is nothing he did not do for Indian cricket. The fans will miss him.''
Keywords: Rahul Dravid, felicitation function, M.S. Dhoni, BCCI
I will never forget his tremendous inning against Australia. We will miss you Dravid...!!!
Dear Rahul, Hats off to you for having a remarkable career. You carried India on your shoulders for 16 Years. Now its time take rest. I stopped watching Cricket the moment you announced retirement from both forms of Cricket. U are the perfect role mode for youngsters. I still remember, as soon as the ball brushed your pad, you started walking towards pavilion without waiting for umpire's signal on your debut test in 1996. That sportsmanship is lacking in Today's sportsmen. All the best !!!
Always dravid will be remembered. The class of play shown by him is
awesome.
You were a cricket solider who always battled for the Country. Wish you a happy & healthy life ahead.
if BCCI uses Kumble,Dravid and Ganguly judisiously ,the whole stagnant
scene of Domestic Cricket will change.we'll see more competetion more
talent flowing in Indian cricket.BCCI should just respect them and take
their views seriously. BCCI,please dont become another WICB!
We miss you sorely jammy
After G.R.Vishwanath, it is Rahul Dravid. Hats off to him. He should be honoured with our Greatest award. Karnataka Government should get him elected to Rajya Sabha.
Really Great man, Real Professional, Gentle men, non-selfish can be rated above Sachin and even above all from Indian cricket.
we all miss Dravid. No one in cricket world is as disciplined and dedicated as Rahul Dravid. dravid is great man.we all miss in indian wall
Dravid is a great achievement for India.He is succeed in his job.Ganguly is good player for India. when Dravid said that Ganguly is his best friend. so Dravid is a good person.Replaceing his place with a good young player is most difficult.Kholi is suitable person for his place.
A true ambassador for the Gentleman's game... Will miss him very much
People like Dravid are rare. A true inspiration for the younger generation like us!
We all Would miss Wall of Criketer Rahul Dravid.I miss him very much.i
did nt like test while cmeing aft dravid i like to watch the test
match.In any critical situvation dravid will there i say dravid s there
india will win.......He an Handsome Boy in India Cricket Team.I love u
and Miss Rahul Dravid.
You will be missed Dravid. Best wishes and good luck.
I find it strange that Sachin and Kapil did not attend the felicitation function citing prior engagements. Although it is entirely possible that they had unavoidable exigencies, in my personal opinion, this is pretty disappointing. Knowing Rahul Dravid as a fine human being and a thorough gentleman both on and off the field, I am rather surprised that he did not mince a word about Sachin in his speech.
Dravid, you are the perfect role model for all yougsters. Well done mate!!!
the whole india missing the great wall who is still protecting our india
it is very sad to hear .ALL THE BEST dravid for your future steps!
god will make you all good things!!!
Dravid...! The person with world class attitude.
The Test Cricket will not taste good without u Jammy..:( True legend.He is not only ideal for every young Indian batsmen but also for every young Indian.
We all would miss Dravid. No one in cricket world is as disciplined and
dedicated as Rahul Dravid.
We are going to miss the midas touch of his shots!! Good Luck Dravid , perform your best off the field also. Ameen!!!
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