NEW DELHI: Legendary India batter
Sunil Gavaskar
has expressed his belief that
Rahul Dravid
deserves to be honored with the
Bharat Ratna
, the highest civilian award in India. Dravid's tenure as the head coach of the
Indian cricket team
came to an end after the team's victory in the 2024
T20 World Cup
held in the West Indies.
During his coaching stint, India achieved significant milestones, including finishing as runners-up in both the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship final.
Additionally, the team emerged victorious in the Asia Cup in the same year.
Prior to his role as the head coach of the senior team, Dravid had already made substantial contributions to Indian cricket. He served as the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and led the Indian U19 team to victory in the 2018 U19 World Cup as their head coach.
With an impressive tally of 24,177 runs in international cricket during his playing career, Dravid's impact on Indian cricket has been immense both on and off the field.
"It would be apt if the Government of India honours him with the Bharat Ratna, for that’s what he has truly been. Great player and captain of the country with famous away series wins in the West Indies when wins there really meant something and also win in England being only among the three Indian captains to have won a Test match series there, a wonderful talent groomer in his earlier role of the chairman of the National Cricket Academy and then as coach of the senior team.
"Earlier in the year, the Bharat Ratna was given to some leaders who had done yeoman service to society. Even their most ardent supporters will agree that the influence they wielded was mostly restricted to their party and to the part of the country where they came from.
"Dravid’s achievements have given joy across all party lines and across caste, creed, communities and brought untold happiness to the whole country. Surely, that deserves the highest accolade the country can give. C’mon everybody, please join me in asking the Government to recognise one of the greatest sons of India. Bharat Ratna, Rahul Sharad Dravid. Sounds terrific, doesn’t it?" wrote Gavaskar in his column for mid-day on Sunday.
Gavaskar praised Rahul Dravid's unwavering commitment and selflessness throughout his career, both as a player and now as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Gavaskar highlighted Dravid's willingness to put the team's needs above his own, recalling instances from his playing days.
"Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn’t play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition.
"That’s the team-oriented attitude that he inculcated in the team and if that continues, then the Indian team will win many more trophies and series. His calmness also would have rubbed off on the team as could be seen in the way they kept their nerve in the close games against Pakistan and the final when South Africa looked like they were running away with the game. He has left on a high with the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation," concluded Gavaskar.
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