The Wall Collapsed after 16 years?
Who dunnit, emotion or snide remarks down under?
“I never really took it seriously. I joke around saying the wall is breaking, its foundation needed (strengthening following cracks)….may be you (journalist) sitting to make a copy,” Test legend Rahul Dravid, who took the painful decision of retiring from Test cricket, said on February 12, 2012.
Though Dravid said he had never walked on the “Wall”, he disagreed that some cricketers creating fissures in it saying, “It’s absolutely speculative, rumours and no truth in it.”
But is it not a mystery Dravid not uttering Team India Captain M S Dhoni’s name even once while taking questions during his press conference while taking the names of Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag, Saurav Ganguly, V V S Laxman, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh----whom Dravid said he felt absolute privilege to be among them during his 16 years of international cricket.
He also had a word on players like Wasim Akram, Glen Mcgrath, Curtly Ambrose, Shane Warne, Courtney Walsh, Waqar Younus, Shoaib Akhtar and Muralitharan, but not once did he mention Dhoni’s name.
How about Dravid addressing press conference with Captain M S Dhoni around, putting all speculations at rest?
“I have absolutely no regret. I think my play had some incredible high and disappointingly low. But at the end of the day, I gave my best shot of the day.
“Absolutely no regret on criticism, because when you play for India where cricket is passionately followed and supported, you have to take it as a part and parcel of the game. Criticisms will be there and I have managed well and (it was) fine for me, and nothing to say about it.”
………it is important to me to move on as much as I do appreciate my feeling, only reason to play to win for India, contribute to team, and not just to play for the sake of it.
Dravid was fair enough to say that he had kept BCCI informed about his retirement plans, but refrained from elaborating saying it was very personal to tell about when, where and how.
On his decision to retire from Test cricket?
“It’s not Eureka moment for me….the decision was difficult. When you have played for India for 16 years, and five years first class matches before it, it’s tough decision, not easy. I know my life (post-retirement’s) challenges… but knew that it was the right decision, and comfortable on what I have achieved and done, but it is also easy that you have to move on.”
According to Dravid his retirement decision was there for over a year when he started assessing with each series and that had a great moment playing for India and playing for winning for team and not to drag it on any longer.
“I sat down (to) take emotions out, look at them dispassionately and when clear of my intention (of taking retirement)…and all others respected as they told right things all through my career.”
Dravid is the record holder for the highest number of Test catches. But even his safe hands did not work in Australia where his famous “Wall” started cracking before collapsing.
But Dravid said dropping a few catches did not influence his decision to quit.
“There is disappointment of putting down catches, (which is also) frustrating for every cricketer. When I drop a catch it really takes me long thinking over it (disappointment).
On which of his 36 centuries was his best?
It’s hard to pick one innings. There are quite a few with are really come among the best----188 in Kolkata partnering V V S Laxman, 233 in Adelaide and a few knocks in Chennai, Headingly and Rawalpindi. Not one particular innings.
He equated his centuries with sons saying “It is hard to choose among your sons.”
What his future after cricket?
“I will see what is ahead of me. Come June I will decide what is ahead of me. I will take a little time to decide on future. I lived in a cocoon for 16 years. I think it is better I stay away to know the reality. If you are away from play you can look things better…I have a young family, and I enjoy myself with my family.”
Dravid did not hide his disappointment on Team India’s miserable performance in England and Australia saying everyone was disappointed?
“…..I still feel, the team is in a good phase with exciting bunch of talented batsmen waiting in the wings. They have skills to replace me…I am nowhere near of this talented near them.”
