Tag: Rahul Dravid

Early Life & Background

Rahul Sharad Dravid was born on 11 January 1973 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, into a Marathi Deshastha Brahmin family. His father, Sharad, worked at a jam company, inspiring his nickname “Jammy,” while his mother, Pushpa, was an architecture professor. The family moved to Bangalore, where Dravid attended St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School and earned a commerce degree from St. Joseph’s College of Commerce. He even pursued an MBA when national selectors noticed him. Raised speaking Marathi, Kannada, English, and Hindi, he started playing cricket at age 12 and progressed through Karnataka’s Under‑15, Under‑17, and Under‑19 teams under coach Keki Tarapore.

Personal Traits & Lifestyle

Dravid earned the monikers “The Wall” and “Mr. Dependable” for his steel‑like defence, unflappable temperament, and strong technique. Known for a humble, team-first approach, he once took up wicketkeeping to strengthen India’s middle order—rarely seeking personal glory. Off the field, Dravid lives a low-key life focused on family, reading, and disciplined routines. He also advises young athletes via the GoSports Foundation’s mentorship program.

Personal Life

On 4 May 2003, Dravid married Dr. Vijeta Pendharkar, a surgeon, and they have two sons—Samit (born 2005) and Anvay (born 2009). A private family man, he supports causes like UNICEF and AIDS awareness, and participated in civic education initiatives. He often keeps his family out of the limelight, valuing their privacy. Despite his fame, Dravid leads a grounded lifestyle, emphasizing humility and balance in both personal and professional spheres.

Youth & Domestic Career

Dravid’s cricketing skills flourished in school; he scored the first of many centuries at St. Joseph’s and impressed selectors during school-level competitions. He debuted in Ranji Trophy in February 1991, scoring 82 and quick subsequent hundreds—including 134 against Bengal—helping Karnataka in the 1991–92 season. His domestic record—380 runs at an average of 63.30 in his inaugural season—earned him a spot in South Zone and India A tours.

International Career

Making his India Test debut on 20 June 1996 against England and ODI debut on 3 April 1996 vs Sri Lanka, Dravid became a mainstay of Indian cricket until 2012. He also played a solitary T20I in August 2011.

Dravid amassed 13,288 runs in 164 Tests (avg 52.31, 36 hundreds), 10,889 runs in 344 ODIs (avg 39.16, 12 hundreds), and scored 31 in his lone T20I. He faced a record 31,258 balls and spent 44,152 minutes at the crease—both all-time Test highs. Renowned for partnerships, he shared nearly 6,920 Test runs with Sachin Tendulkar . Additionally, he holds the record for most Test catches (210) by a non‑keeper and never registered a golden duck in 286 innings.

IPL Career

Dravid joined the IPL as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (2008–10) and later moved to Rajasthan Royals (2011–13), serving as captain and mentor. Though his IPL playing stats—89 matches and 2,174 runs—are modest by modern standards, he left a lasting impact off the field .

He returned to Rajasthan Royals as head coach ahead of the 2025 season, forming a leadership synergy with Kumar Sangakkara.

Post Retirement Life & Coaching Career

After retiring in 2012, Rahul Dravid transitioned smoothly into coaching and mentorship roles. He guided India A and U-19 teams, leading the latter to a U-19 World Cup win in 2018. Appointed India’s head coach in 2021, Dravid steered the team to major victories, including the Asia Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024. Known for his calm, methodical leadership, he focused on developing young talent and strengthening team depth. In 2025, he returned to IPL as Rajasthan Royals’ head coach, reinforcing his legacy as one of cricket’s most influential post-retirement figures.

Awards and Honors

• Padma Bhushan (2013)

• ICC Hall of Fame (2018)

• Padma Shri (2004)

• Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2000)

• ICC Test Player of the Year & Cricketer of the Year (2004)