Rahul Dravid: Profile, Biography, Age, Records, Height, Achievements, Family, and Career Statistics

Rahul Dravid – Profile, Biography, Records and Achievements

Rahul Dravid, born in Bangalore, Karnataka, on January 11, 1973, is considered one of the best-ever heroes in the history of Indian cricket. He is known worldwide as “The Wall” for his rock-steady defensive technique and unwavering concentration. Dravid’s life has been one of the unparalleled stories of grit, technique, and integrity. He started as an ardent young boy in the busy streets of Bangalore. 

He walked an inimitable road through decades of excellence, record-breaking performances, and countless contributions on and off the field to become India’s impeccable tour de force on the field. However, Dravid’s greatness is not only defined by the huge numbers he accumulated. One other great metric is the role that he continues to play in nurturing the future generation and the spirit of this game in India.

Personal Details of Rahul Dravid

• Full Name: Rahul Sharad Dravid
• Date of Birth: January 11, 1973
• Age: 52 years (as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Height: 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 meters)
• Batting Style: Right-handed
• Bowling Style: Right-arm medium (occasional bowler)
• Role: Batsman and occasional wicketkeeper; also served as captain
• Jersey Number: N/A (from an era before fixed squad numbers were common)

Childhood and Background of Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid‘s early days in Bangalore were filled with both academic discipline and the growth of his passion for cricket. Born in a middle-class family, his father, Sharad Dravid, and mother, Vijaya Dravid, instilled a great sense of humility and hard work, which would later form the essence of his personality. 

Deeply embedded in Karnataka’s local culture, cricket was a sport where Rahul could express his indomitable will. Right from the beginning, his aptitude for the game became very obvious in neighborhood games and school tournaments. While education was a priority with his parents, family support was very important: being a middle-class family, they made certain that he practiced cricket alongside his studies on local grounds. 

Domestic Career and Rise to Fame of Rahul Dravid

His inroad into professional cricket was his debut for Karnataka in domestic competitions. Performance-wise, he entered the selectors’ radar quite early during the Ranji Trophy season, which has nonetheless been his demonstration of immense composure and technical finesse. In a competitive environment, Rahul’s ability to lay the foundation of innings from scratch, even against tough odds, had cemented his stature as a bastion of reliability for his state team. 

Dravid’s domestic achievements earned him much praise and set him on the path to earning a national call-up. With every match, Dravid seemed to be honing his skills and adapting his game to different pitches and climates, which surely became an asset in his international career.

International Career of Rahul Dravid

• Tests:

Rahul Dravid made his Test debut for India in 1996 with a quiet confidence that belied the impact he was eventually to have on the game. A near century at the Lord’s was the prelude to unforgettable performances. In a glorious career spanning 164 Test matches, Dravid scored 13,288 runs at an average of over 52, including 36 centuries and 63 fifties. His batting combined technical perfection and mental strength; he absorbed all pressure and built his innings brick by brick. 

Be it fast bowlers in Australia on bouncy tracks or seamers in friendly conditions in England, Dravid’s hallmark was an answerback and guts. Some of his gargantuan innings under harrowing situations and resilient performances in Perth and The Oval will never be forgotten since they are now cricketing folklore. Long stays in the crease by Dravid would provide India the solidity to negotiate to a competitive total, thus earning him the deserved nickname of “The Wall.”

• One Day Internationals (ODIs):

Dravid’s ODI career was equally consequential, often overshadowed by his great Test feats. Making his ODI debut the same year as the Test introduction, Dravid approached the one-day format with a sense of technical solidity infused with strategic cognizance. In the 344 ODIs in which Rahul Dravid had participated, he made 10,889 runs at an average of about 39.16 with 12 centuries and 83 half-centuries. 

Every crease visit with Dravid was yet another fine display of pinpoint execution and precise understanding of the tempo of the game-either anchoring the innings with gritty determination during a nervous chase or accelerating at needed times when a brisk start was warranted. 

Some of his memorable innings were the brilliant 146 against Australia in Kolkata and a handful of vital contributions in pressure matches during World Cup campaigns. Critics accused him of being a less aggressive run-scorer in ODIs. Still, his counterweighting role was indispensable in buoying the Indian batting through tough patches, switching gears as the game demanded. 

• Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is):

The inception of T20 cricket virtually coincided with the twilight of Dravid’s international playing days, allowing him only scant appearances in T20 Internationals for India. Yet, his standing in the shorter format is unchallenged. 

Though his playing style was more conducive to the long formats of the game, his focus on technique, discipline, and shot selection has inspired many of the current T20 stars who try to balance aggression with technical soundness. His very short spell in T20 cricket testified to his all-round capabilities and hunger to adapt; all the while, he remained true to the formats wherein he could showcase his talents best.

Major Achievements and Records in Cricket of Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid boasts an outstanding career with a collection of numerous records and awards that can never erase his legacy from the face of cricket:

• “Wall“: Dravid is known as “The Wall” because he is impenetrable to any ferocious bowling attack. His defense has been known for his ability at the crease to put up and repair strikes in pressure situations, making the name synonymous with reliability in Test cricket.
• Test-scoring machine: The man who has crossed 13,000 Test runs, Dravids records speak for consistency and longevity. While his 36 Test centuries remain the goal for budding batsmen, his ability to build long, patient partnerships in Test cricket has always been critical in lifting India out of tight situations.
• Significant Partnerships: While most of his contributions were always in the form of partnerships that not only rescued India from a disaster but also kicked-started some historic victories for the nation, his innings-stabilizing attributes have been rated as perhaps one of the finest manifestations of team spirit coupled with technical excellence in cricket history.
• Sportsmanship and Grooming in Leadership: Beyond his batting, his conduct in the field commands universality. His ability to remain calm as a player or captain, along with fairness in play, also resonates with high standards of sportsmanship.
• Mentorship and Legacy: His retirement announced Dravid’s seamless transition as a mentor and coach. His work with India’s Under-19 and A teams has brought in several new entrants and ensured Dravid’s extensive knowledge base benefitted Indian cricket.
• Fielding Ability: Perhaps less glorified but on par was his fielding; his safe pair of hands and lightning reflexes have saved many runs, while as a makeshift keeper, he displayed added versatility.

The Cricketing Style and Technical Skills of Rahul Dravid

• Dravid’s performance is considered the standard of excellence in batting technique. Concerning batting, there was a mature method in which traditionalism acquired firm mental standing as an asset in the dominion of bowlers under all conditions.
• Technical Precision: Dravid’s stance, footwork, and shot selection were embodiments of classical batting. He attached so much importance to playing each delivery on its merit and paid so much attention to his preparations to face challenges that most greats would have shown him the path.
• Concentration and Patience: Dravid’s abilities- and the quality most associated with him—had been concentration over long periods of high concentration. This made him respect even opponents as he built innings over a period of time in the toughest of conditions.
• Adaptability: While he had been almost exclusively a Test player in the ODIs, Dravid showed a rare flexibility in adapting his game to the needs of one day. He could change from a defensive stroke to an aggressive drive and back again in moving the scoring rate, thus proving a great value in all formats.
• Leader: He was an example of a captain. His presence, calm mind, and clear-cut strategic mentorship helped him sail through the stormy tides and instill self-confidence in teammates, often carrying India through memorable wins. 
• Mentor and Coach: Dravid also shared the spotlight with his peers during his playing days to extend his experience and knowledge to budding cricketers. However, the roles after retirement add this dimension of his involved personality even more as he continues to mentor the next generation of cricketers.

Career Statistics of Rahul Dravid

Incredible as his numbers are, they are too humbling to believe; discussions over his ODI greatness are rendered irrelevant by the statistics he’s built up.

• Test cricket: He scored 13288 runs in 164 tests at an average of over 52 with 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries, an indication of which confirms the performer at a very high level, often at the most difficult times of play, across formats.
• One-Day International: In 344 One-Day Internationals, he scored 10,889 runs at an average of approximately 39.16, including 12 centuries and 83 fifties. He engaged in many memorable innings in ODIs that contributed to mounting or stabilizing India’s innings on either end of difficult turns in the game.
• Although he had nothing to do with T20 International cricket, his professionalism and technical standards will surely shape the day-to-day training of most modern T20 specialists.
• Fielding: Sharp fielding strength, which by comparison names safety and speed, often failed to win a close match. His infinitesimal appearance behind the stumps, when needed, typified his very wide understanding of the game.

Life Outside Cricket and Interests of Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid is a man of grounding, reading, and family values. All this fame and adoration from his cricket life has made him remain a modest and humble character.

• Family: Married to Vijeta Pendharkar, Dravid considers family life a cornerstone of his well-being. His dedication to his family shows how he manages his professional and personal responsibilities in a balanced way. Born into a home that respects education and sports, Dravid’s children have been inspired by their father’s legacy and are growing up under his loving guidance in nurturing their hobbies.
• Beyond Cricket: He reads profusely and learns avidly. Most of his interests extend well beyond the cricket ground. He is deeply passionate about history and philosophy, often debating culture and the large impact of sports on society. This reflective and self-improving nature has led him to various intellectual pursuits.
• Philanthropic and Mentor: Dravid is popular for being charitable and has been associated with several drives to promote sports among underprivileged children. His setting up of cricketing academies and contribution to mentoring young talents testify to his belief in giving back to the community and grooming the future generation of cricketers.

Recent Developments and Post-Retirement Contributions of Rahul Dravid

Sir Rahul Dravid has readapted his life since he last put on his pads to face an international bowler. Today, he takes on different roles that would largely benefit the game with his expertise. Such a gradual transition into mentoring, coaching, and cricketing ambassadorial positions is as natural as today’s life for someone of Dravid’s caliber.

• Coaching and Mentoring: Dravid, justly acting like a father figure on the right zenith, engages in concentrated work with the Indian Under-19 and India A teams. Precisely, where he has been spending uncounted hours refining the stabilities of young cricketers, here has been inspired hearing this fine voice from his way former to nurture a fresh lineage in morality behind discipline and perseverance.
• Administrative Engagement: A further competence is that Dravid holds administrative positions that lend influence to Indian cricket. Indeed, his views would be cherished based on his unparalleled experience in deep game theories and transformations through the related dynamics down to the minute policy-making and strategy development for the game.
• Commentary and analysis: Dravid’s articulate commentary and cheerful analysis of events have built a viewing point into the lives of millions of fans. Unobscured correct insights into deep tactical nuances would not only inform the viewer but also provide him with a legacy of having been one of the most learned exponents of the game.
• Legacy Projects: Continue working through various philanthropic initiatives and mentorship programs to make cricket available to every one of the many Indian children. Creating cricket academies and grassroots initiatives is testimony to Dravid’s long-lasting dedication to cricket.

All these factors match his cricketing journey with one of continual dedication, consistent technical mastery, and sportsmanship. From the early days when he played domestic cricket to when he became an international stalwart himself, his contribution has left very deep marks in the sport’s history. Even his stint in coaching will make future generations look up to this veteran, who can very well be referred to as a true ambassador of cricket.

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