Here is a man who has toiled for every run, has high determination and continues to live the life of a simple yet a great human being, off the pitch as well. Rahul Dravid was one of the finest and classiest players of the Indian team. The No.3 batsman’s departure from international cricket was well-thought of, decent, noble and devoid of too much emotion. Dravid’s consistent show – paired with his flawless professional and personal conduct – offers great lessons which can be applied across different stages in life. Here’s what YOU can learn from Rahul Dravid:
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses: Even though Rahul’s first spell in one-day cricket was tougher than he would have expected, he was soon labeled a ‘Test specialist’ for he was unperturbed. He analyzed his performance after every match and improved his game. You can do well by following this approach. If things are not working out, it would be worthwhile to keep reviewing your performance and put together your strengths.
- Keep reviving yourself: Dravid batted in every position from No. 1 to No.7, kept wickets and also, bowled occasionally. When he played an aggressive brand of cricket or if he was asked to open the batting, he flexible reinvented the way of his batting approach. This requires an open mind, enormous team spirit and a commitment to adapt to different situations. Plain knowledge is not enough. It takes will power to try out new things by shedding one’s inhibitions. And, those who adapt reap the outturns. So, be ready to give your best in any kind of situation.
- Believe in yourself: “Some succeed because they are destined to, but Rahul Dravid succeeded because he was DETERMINED to,” tweeted former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu. Dravid’s self-belief and self-reliance came from his firm technique and readiness to focus on the positive side of things. This determination of Rahul Dravid earned him the sobriquet ‘The Wall’. Optimism and self-belief go hand-in-hand. Never underestimate yourself. You are no less than a Narayana Murthy, a Saina Nehwal or an Abdul Kalam. Respect yourself and keep that faith. You will see wonders!
- Never be self-satisfied: Despite the number of runs and laurels Dravid established in his career, he never gave up his pre-match preparation to implement in the forthcoming match. True sportsmen play for passion and merit. Never rest in your previous success. If you got screened-in in your previous SSB, it is not necessary that you will get screened-in the next time also unless you are well-prepared. Be ready for every stage of the SSB. In other words, don’t get over-confident. Go with a calm and free mind.
- Be persistent: The summary of Dravid’s story has shown that ‘persistence pays’. A diligent hard worker, the former Indian captain, worked on his weaknesses without taking success for granted. It’s not by luck that he holds the record for highest number of catches in Tests. Always remember that not only talent and hard work will get you to the top, but also constantly updating your knowledge and evaluating yourself in every aspect is vital.
In the end, I will say that Rahul Sharad Dravid is definitely a source of positive and constructive aspects that any individual should install to taste success. He can not only teach youngsters how to play cricketing shots, but he is the ‘Perfect Role Model’ for any individual to lead a positive and successful life. To sum it all up, he is truly a Fauji at heart! 🙂
About Kayva: “Hi! I am Kavya Iyer from Chennai. I am an Aeronautical Engineer and I
presently work for CSIR-NAL, Bangalore.”
