A 10,000-brick structure has been erected by the KSCA at the Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate the batsman’s 10,000-run feat in both versions of the game
A 10,000-brick structure has been erected by the KSCA at the Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate the batsman’s 10,000-run feat in both versions of the game
BANGALORE: In the best and worst of times, Rahul Dravid has exemplified steely determination. Currently, though, with the prevailing debate on ‘retirement plans’ for senior cricketers, he may need just that little extra dash of motivation.
He need look no further than home for that. At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue for the first Test starting October 9, a colossal 10,000 brick wall has been erected by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to pay tribute to one of its favourite
sons.
This was in acknowledgement of his achieving 10,000-plus runs in Test cricket and one-day internationals alike, and was unveiled in Bangalore on Monday. Dravid was characteristically humble.
“It’s a bit embarrassing for me to be here,” he said. “However, Brijesh Patel and KSCA convinced me that it would be a good idea and would be some sort of an inspiration for a lot of young kids who come here. I am really honoured and humbled by the gesture.”
The wall was unveiled by teammate Sachin Tendulkar. Also present at the event were Test team captain Anil Kumble, former paceman Javagal Srinath and veteran cricketer Syed Kirmani. “The greatest thing for me has been the ability to play with some of these legends. It means a lot more to me than anything,” Dravid said. Dravid’s parents, Sharad and Pushpa, were also present, not just to be part of this unveiling, but also to present the mural made by Pushpa Dravid, which has carvings of six Karnataka cricketers-Venkatesh Prasad, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Sunil Joshi, Doda Ganesh and Sadanand Vishwanath.
“When I was doing the mural, a lot of young cricketers passing by would stop by to recognise who the cricketers are. It will be great if young cricketers get inspired by this and say ‘I should be on the wall some day to represent Karnataka and the country’.
Should that happen, I would feel that I have achieved something in my life,” she said.
Talking about great cricketers, DNA asked Pushpa Dravid about her take on the seniority debate, and whether the current batch of India’s greats were being treated with due respect. “If you see the Australians, they are quite old but they are still playing,” she pointed out. “Personally, I feel it should be based on performance.”
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