It’s Rahul Dravid’s 45th birthday today! ‘The Wall’ as he fondly called, was born on January 11, 1973, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and is considered one of the greatest Test batsmen the world has produced.
So we put together five (of the many) reasons why Rahul is such an inspiration – here’s proof that he’s been winning hearts forever.
He stands in the queue just like you and me
In November 2017, a photograph of Rahul standing in a queue with his kids at a science exhibition went viral. At this time when the VVIP culture is so entrenched in the country, Rahul’s simple act won the hearts of many and earned praises from far and wide.
That's Rahul Dravid in a queue with his kids at a science exibhition.
— South Canara (@in_southcanara) November 23, 2017
No show off;
no page 3 attitude;
no celebrity airs;
no "do you know who I am?" looks;
Queueing just like any other normal parent... really admirable... pic.twitter.com/NFYMuDqubE
He believes in 'earning' a degree, rather than being gifted one
Earlier last year, the ace cricketer politely rejected an honorary doctorate degree that the Bangalore University wanted to confer on him.
He said he wanted to do research in the field of sports and earn the degree. A statement released by the University then stated, "He has conveyed that he would try to earn a doctorate degree by accomplishing some form of academic research in the field of sport, rather than receiving an honorary degree."
Rahul had reportedly also refused an honorary degree from the Gulbarga University in the past.
He is a kind man with a big heart
Rahul Dravid's childhood club once needed a victory to avoid being relegated to a lower division. Rahul had by then retired from international cricket. When the coach of the team reportedly asked him to play for them, he obliged, played the game and even helped them win the match. The game took place at the HAL ground in front of a handful of spectators.
He is a compassionate star
Some years ago, relatives of a fan suffering from cancer wrote to Rahul requesting him to speak with him.
Rahul's wife, Vijeta, reportedly got back to them and promised a Skype conversation between her husband and the terminally ill patient. Rahul called the man who was in the hospital and spoke to him for an hour, even apologising for not being able to meet him in person.
The man's friend later wrote about the entire incident on Quora.
He said, "Dravid talked with my friend in the hospital for almost an hour. He apologized for not able to come in person. The smile on my friend's face was precious. He was beaming with happiness. Not just that, Dravid talked with his parents, his doctors and all other patients in the ward. Dravid made sure that he left my friend and his parents motivated after the conversation. After that hour there was positive vibe in hospital."
He's got a funny bone
While Rahul Dravid is known to be perennially poised and calm, once in a while he can also make the audience erupt with laughter. Like when he mimicked Sachin Tendulkar.
In 2012, Rahul was in Mumbai, launching the book "Sachin, Born to Bat: The Journey of Cricket’s Ultimate Centurion". Speaking to the media, Rahul was narrating an incident he had heard from Sanjay Manjrekar.
The West Zone did not have quality spinners when they played against the South Zone when Sachin, on hearing the concern, quickly pitched in saying "Main dalega" (I'll bowl).
When Dravid mimicked Sachin, the room burst out laughing.