New Delhi [India], January 11: On the occasion of Rahul Dravid’s 52nd birthday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former teammate Harbhajan Singh extended heartfelt wishes to the former Indian captain and head coach.
BCCI took to X to celebrate Dravid, fondly known as ‘The Wall’, for his legendary contributions to Indian cricket. Dravid, revered for his solid technique and impenetrable defense, earned widespread respect for his ability to consistently score runs in all conditions.
Harbhajan Singh also shared a special message for Dravid, describing him as the “epitome of discipline and commitment.” Harbhajan praised his former teammate for his ability to anchor innings under pressure and deliver crucial performances when needed the most. “Heartiest birthday greetings to ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid. As a cricketer, he was the epitome of discipline and commitment. A player who could be relied upon to anchor the innings under any circumstance. May he always be blessed with good health, happiness, and success in everything he does. Wishing him a phenomenal and remarkable birthday,” posted Harbhajan on X.
Dravid, who represented India in 164 Tests, amassed 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31, with 36 centuries and 63 fifties to his name. He is India’s second-highest run-scorer in Tests and ranks fourth overall. In 344 ODIs, Dravid scored 10,889 runs at an average of 39.16, with 12 centuries and 83 fifties, making him the fifth-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs and tenth overall. He also played one T20I, scoring 31 runs.
In the IPL, Dravid represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals, amassing 2,174 runs in 89 matches at an average of 28.23, with 11 fifties and a strike rate of 115.52.
Later in his career, Dravid found success as a coach, notably leading India to victory in the ICC U19 World Cup in 2018 and guiding the team to the 2024 T20 World Cup. Under his coaching, India reached the finals of both the ICC World Test Championship 2023 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, with the latter resulting in a heartbreaking loss to Australia. However, the T20 World Cup victory in Barbados later that year was seen as a fitting tribute to Dravid’s contributions to the game.
Dravid also played a crucial role in the development of several prominent Indian players, such as Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, and Washington Sundar, during his tenure as U19 coach, earning him widespread acclaim for his mentorship.