Rahul Dravid, the cricketing legend has started a new innings

Rahul Dravid, in the world of cricket, is a name that generates respect. A thorough gentleman cricketer, with deep old school cricketing values, Dravid's cricket record puts him in the exclusive bracket of being one of the best who ever played this game.

During his playing days, despite some great performances on the cricketing pitch, he was often overshadowed by the cricketing God like status of Sachin Tendulkar, the artistic brilliance of VVS Laxman, the off side play and confronting attitude of Sourav Ganguly, the dominance of Virender Sehwag, all his illustrious compatraits. Still he managed to create a neat niche for himself in the hearts and minds of the lovers of the games and its experts alike. Now as he recently assumed the role of the chief coach of the senior Indian team, he has started on another innings where the expectations from him are again, very high. By what he has achieved so far in his post retirement role as a cricket coach, it seems very likely that he will outscore many in this new innings as well.

Dravid has been playing the role of a coach for a long time now. He coached two IPL teams to moderate success. Till now, he was essentially involved with the junior side of Indian cricket. He took one (under 16) side to the World Cup Final and won the World Cup with another (Under 19) side. In fact, he has been so successful that many credit the healthy state of Indian cricket today to him. I have heard many cricket experts from Pakistan crediting him completely for giving India this huge pool of young talented cricketers, which has helped India dominate the world cricket in recent times. Something that, many expect, India will continue to do for a long time now, purely owing to the work Dravid has done at the junior level.

Also read | Virender Sehwag – A phenomenon that changed cricket

He is known to guide and inspire his wards in a quiet and understanding way, and of course, we know that he has a great cricketing brian. His personality and cricketing achievements also demand instant respect. But all said, coaching the senior Indian team would be a different ball game. It would be like facing a super fast pace attack on a bouncy and uneven pitch. The seniors come with their own individual baggage of stardoms, attitudes and fan following. Will he be able to play a match winning innings is something the whole cricketting world would be following very closely.

Today it is the birthday of Jammy, Mr. Dependable, The wall and The Great Wall, as he is lovingly called by friends, family, teammates and cricket fans. CitySpidey wishes him a long and fruitful innings in cricket and life.