New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar today paid rich tributes to Rahul Dravid, who is expected to announce his retirement from international cricket tomorrow, saying there can be “no other” cricketer like him.
“There was and is only one Rahul Dravid. There can be no other. I will miss Rahul in the dressing room and out in the middle,” Tendulkar said.
India’s batting stalwart Dravid, second most prolific batsman in Test history, has called a press conference in Bangalore tomorrow, prompting speculation that he may announce his retirement from international cricket where he has been a star for over 15 years.
Test cricket’s two most prolific batsmen, Tendulkar and Dravid together fashioned many of India’s famous wins with crucial partnerships over the past one and a half decade.
Talking about those partnerships, Tendulkar said, “I have shared the best moments with him. Our many century partnerships are testimony to the hours we spent together in the middle.
“For someone who has played 164 matches and over 13000 runs, no tribute can be enough.”
Former opener Arun Lal said Dravid is retiring at the right time.”It’s a personal decision for a cricketer or for any sportsperson to retire. I think there was very little left for Dravid to achieve in cricket. SO it’s the right time to retire.
“Dravid is not only a great cricketer but also an ambassador of the game, a role model and a gentleman. Runs apart he is a cricketer who should be emulated by the youngsters,” he said.
Dravid will be remembered as one of the last classical Test match batsmen, renowned for his technique and a willingness to bat through difficult circumstances – and over prolonged periods – yet able to stroke the ball around when the mood struck him. He was the anchor of India’s famous middle-order, keeping the innings together while the strokeplayers – Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly – played a more attacking role. He appeared to especially flourish in partnership with Laxman, never more so than in the Eden Gardens Test of 2001. His batting qualities and efforts were often overshadowed by the flair of his team-mates yet they were brought into sharp focus over the past year with India’s Test team struggling through a period of transition. (Agencies)