When the WALL called it quits

BIDDING ADIEU

Itis really difficult to imagine no Rahul Dravid coming out to bat at No. 3 anymore,” said an emotional Aakash Chopra when Metrolife spoke to him about The Wall announcing his retirement.

The fact that there will be no Rahul Dravid batting at his trademark position frightens this former opening batsman. Calling him “a hero” and “a legend”,  Aakash believes that while all good things come to an end,this is the toughest to come to terms with.

“To imagine that there  won’t be Rahul on the field pinches me a lot,” he says.

As Rahul Dravid, the thorough gentleman of the gentleman’s game finally drew curtains on his dynamic career spanning 16 glorious years, Indian cricket is left fielding a huge void in the batting line-up - a void that will require enormous talent and persistence to fill up. A batsman, wicketkeeper, captain, mentor and sometimes a handy bowler as well, Rahul has done it all. Many others like Aakash are saddened by the news.

Former cricketer and currently assistant coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders, Vijay Dahiya believes Indian cricket will miss Dravid a lot. “As far as the longer version of the game is concerned, Rahul will be missed a lot and more so in overseas conditions.”

His indispensable batting technique to play on foreign soil is something that no one has been able to achieve so far. It will be interesting to see how the team will cope with that challenge.” Vijay believes that Dravid’s “mere presence in the dressing room was encouraging for young guns.”

Renowned cricket commentator and sports analyst Dr Narottam Puri feels,  “Rahul has been a fantastic ambassador of the game. Not just for his batting technique but also for his dignity and gentlemanly attitude.”

Dr Puri also says, “Rahul still had a couple of years’ cricket in him especially in sub-continental conditions but it is finally a player’s prerogative to decide his retirement. Since he has chosen to hang up his bat, we respect his decision.”

Along with the Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, Dravid steered the team to many highs during his career. His terrific performances both at home and abroad won him the coveted titles of Mr. Dependable and The Wall of Indian Cricket.

Now when he has taken his final bow, can Indian cricket get another Dravid?

This is the question doing the rounds.

 Vijay is pessimistic about a new Rahul Dravid coming up anytime soon.

“A batsman of such discipline and character is really tough to replace. I don’t think anyone can last that long and fill the shoes of Rahul,” he says.

Besides his great batting technique, Rahul will long be remembered as one of the greatest ambassadors of the game. His solid batting technique suited every batting surface and his exemplary skills on the field, which made him the highest catcher in test matches is one thing that will be hugely missed.

 “Frankly, I am not too sure if we can find someone like Rahul again,” feels Aakash.

On a possible replacement of what is being dubbed as an irreplaceable position, this former Opener believes Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara have it in them to rise to the occasion in his absence, “I think Virat and Cheteshwar are the likely replacements but they will have to raise their game to match his style and technique.”