#3 is the most coveted slot for a batsman in a cricket team – batsman at this lot is supposed to set up the tone of team’s innings rather than been ordained by the circumstances. The most dependable batsman of the team, Rahul was the #3 batsmen and played at that slot for the most part of his sixteen years of career.
If you are his fan, you will never forget his tap dancing with the bat on the 4th day of the Kolkata test match against Australia. On that afternoon, you understood why people romanticizes test cricket and why Rahul is their hero. Rahul’s impeccable reputation for ‘never-say-die’ attitude credited him with the title of ‘the Wall’
Building the Great Wall of China was started more than two thousand years back. Numerous dynasties, 1500 years, and costing lives of 1 million – the Great Wall of 10 thousand miles was built.
It is ironical that one of the wonders of the world was constructed from flight-or-fight response – the most primitive drive of the human race. If that is disheartening, more intimidating is the fact that Mongols passed through the wall rather humbly by bribing the guards. Fear drove men to build the great wall for security; greedy men tapped by shrewd men using money failed security. The range of human motives and changing colour of money is quite intriguing. Unlike the consistency of the Great Wall itself.
Traditional cricket coaches tell the batsman to try to smell the cricket ball in motion at the beginning – the first session, first 10 overs or first one hour of any match and in the process survive the most difficult act. They tell the batsmen to befriend the ball. Rahul has been the most sincere student of this school of consistency. Techniques & temperament – his currency to win just as the power of consistency outwits everything in the long run. No other motive, no different colour of money.
Stone blocks and brick were used to construct the Great Wall sections. Where blocks and bricks were not available, compressed earth, uncut stones even wooden blocks were used. This gave the consistency to the Great Wall.
To avoid the misfortune of last match owing to a loose old pair of gloves, Rahul Dravid bought a new pair of gloves just two days before a Ranji semifinal match. With a new set of gloves, he practised at the nets. He kept wearing the gloves continuously…for next 48 hours with the hope of gloves becoming extension of palms…through heat and sweat. Next match of semifinal – Rahul got a century, followed by another century – in final and he was in Indian cricket Team. Bricks & blocks, stones and slabs like these…some known, most unknown…made the Indian cricket wall.
What are your bricks & blocks, stones and slabs?
–Samit