Rahul Dravid the “Wall” will retire??
India’s batting stouthearted Rahul Dravid, second most fertile batsman in Test history, has called a news conference here tomorrow, moving speculation that he declare his retirement from international cricket where he has been a star for over 15 years.
“Mr N Srinivasan, President, BCCI, and Mr Rahul Dravid will address the media at 12:30pm Friday, 9 March 2012, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru,” the release read.
The 39-year-old Dravid had announced his retirement from ODI cricket in England last year after been astonishingly called back in the ODI team due to his prodigious performance during the Test series against England in which he scored three centuries.
Dravid’s Test career stands at 164 Tests, from which he scored 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31, with 36 centuries and 63 fifties with 270 against Pakistan being his highest score. In 344 one-day internationals he amassed 10,889 runs – the seventh highest of all time – at 39.16, with 12 hundreds and 83 fifties. Dravid captained India in 25 Tests, winning eight, losing six and drawing 11. Dravid is the only player in the history of cricket who made his debut and retired in the same match. He played his only T20, against England last year and scored 31 off 21.
Dravid, nicknamed the ‘Wall’ for his dour defence, is also a world record holder in the number of Test catches. He took 210 catches, mostly in the slip cordon.
According to sources in the BCCI, there is a possibility that the BCCI might arrange for a testimonial match for Dravid , which brings in a possibility that he might just play a Test match against New Zealand at home before he calls time on his international career.
Stand-in Australian captain Shane Watson has paid glowing tributes to Rahul Dravid, describing the retiring Indian batting stalwart as a “phenomenal man” and the “nicest guy” he has ever met in cricket.
“There was and is only one Rahul Dravid. There can be no other. I will miss Rahul in the dressing room and out in the middle, I have shared the best moments with him. Our many century partnerships are testimony to the hours we spent together in the middle”, Tendulkar said.
“All this going around is not aggression; if you want to see aggression on cricket field, look into Rahul Dravid’s eyes”, said by Matthew Hayden
“There are only four batsmen who are great to me Sunny, Vishwanath, Sachin and now Rahul” said by Ravi Shastri.
“Rahul is one of the guys who works extra time over his fitness levels and look at his scores this season. Sourav and I have been really lucky that Rahul has been tremendously loyal to both of us”, said by John Wright.
Dravid, however will be seen leading Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming fifth edition of Indian Premier League.
