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Happy Birthday Rahul Dravid: Rahul Dravid represented India in 344 ODIs and scored 10,889 runs at a strike rate of 71.23.
Happy Birthday Rahul Dravid: One of the finest batters ever to represent the Indian cricket team, Rahul Dravid, celebrates his 52nd birthday today. Known for his impeccable defensive style and sound technique, Dravid earned the nickname ‘The Wall’. Apart from his exceptional batting, he also showcased brilliant leadership abilities that earned him respect on and off the field.
EXCELLENCE ACROSS FORMATS
In addition to his monumental success in Test cricket, Dravid also exhibited outstanding batting performances in limited-overs cricket. He played a crucial role in achieving a perfect balance for the Indian team, even taking up wicket-keeping duties to strengthen the team’s combination.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dravid featured in 89 games, scoring 11 half-centuries.
DRAVID’S CAREER STATS
TEST DEBUT
Rahul Dravid made his Test debut against England at Lord’s in 1996, where he scored a brilliant 95 in the first innings. He played 164 Tests, amassing 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31. He also scored 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries in red-ball cricket, with his highest score being 270 against Pakistan in 2004.
ODI DEBUT
Dravid’s first ODI was against Sri Lanka in 1996. Over the years, he represented India in 344 ODIs, accumulating 10,889 runs at a strike rate of 71.23. He earned 12 centuries and 83 half-centuries, with his highest score being 153 against New Zealand in 1999.
DRAVID IN THE IPL AND T20Is
Although Dravid played only one T20I match, his IPL career spanned 89 games, in which he scored 2,174 runs at a strike rate of 115.52. He also scored 11 half-centuries, with his highest score being 75 not out in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.
RETIREMENT AND TRANSITION TO COACHING
After retiring from international cricket in 2012, Dravid took up coaching. His leadership extended beyond the cricket field, with significant roles in the IPL and with India’s emerging teams.
He mentored the Rajasthan Royals IPL team in 2014 and helped the team finish third in the 2015 season. In the same year, Dravid served as a mentor for the Indian national team during their tour of England.
DRAVID’S COACHING SUCCESS
Dravid’s coaching journey continued with the India U-19 and India A teams, where he enjoyed immense success. Under his guidance, the India U-19 team reached the finals of the 2016 U-19 Cricket World Cup and later won the tournament in 2018. His leadership and vision became evident as he progressed to become the head coach of the Indian cricket team.
Dravid’s Legacy as Head Coach of India
In 2021, Rahul Dravid succeeded Ravi Shastri as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, India reached the final of both the World Test Championship (WTC) and the 50-over World Cup.
His most significant triumph came with India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they defeated South Africa in the final, marking India’s second T20 World Cup title.
In September 2024, Dravid was also announced as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
