Cricketing fraternity wishes Rahul Dravid a very happy birthday

Former India captain and the current coach of the India 'A' and Under-19 team Rahul Dravid celebrated his 45th birthday on Thursday.

The legendary batsman, who is presently in New Zealand with the Under-19 team for the World Cup, remains a much-admired man in the cricketing world, almost six years after announcing his retirement from international cricket.

In a career spanning 16 years, Dravid amassed 13288 runs in 164 Test matches at an average of 52.31, with 36 hundred and 63 fifties.

He was equally impressive in the 50-over format of the game as well, scoring 10889 runs in 344 matches at an average of 39.16.

He holds the record for the most number of catches taken by any fielder in Test history, with 210 takes in 164 matches. He was also the first recipient of ICC's Player of the Year award in 2004.

In June 2015, he took over as the head coach of the India A and Under-19 team

The fraternity wished the former right-hander as he turned a year older.

Sachin Tendulkar, a man with whom Dravid shared many a memorable partnership, wished him well for the Under-19 World Cup.

There might be many strong walls around us but the greatest yet is the one and only, #RahulDravid. Happy birthday, Jammy! My best wishes for the U-19 World Cup. #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/RICNJXzIWM

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 11, 2018

VVS Laxman, someone with whom Dravid put on two significant partnership at Kolkata in 2001 and Adelaide in 2003, also wished his former teammate well on his birthday.

Friendship isn’t about being inseparable but knowing and realising that inspite of not meeting regularly nothing will change. Wishing the very best to a dear friend, Rahul with whom I have shared some great memories #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/9BcLlN7wFF

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2018

The Under-19 boys know a thing or two about celebrating birthdays too!

Have a look at the video below:

VIDEO: #HappyBirthdayDravid The Wall turns 45https://t.co/KhBsXRi88w #Legend pic.twitter.com/goqbAM2nXn

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2018

There were other wishes as well for Dravid, from present and former cricketers

Shikhar Dhawan

Happy Birthday to #TheWall of Indian Cricket! Have a great year Rahul bhai.???? #HappyBirthdayDravid

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) January 11, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane

I've always looked up to Rahul Bhai, not only for his cricket achievements but also for the way he leads his life with simplicity and utmost dignity. #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/gFjwgch20H

— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) January 11, 2018

Suresh Raina

Happy birthday, Rahul Bhai. A thorough gentleman who taught us the meaning of commitment and sacrifices. Getting my ODI and Test caps from you will always hold a special place in my heart.Hope the boys make you proud in the upcoming U-19 World Cup. #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/f9JqYvhn82

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) January 11, 2018

Harbhajan Singh

Wishing a very happy birthday to the Great Wall of India.. #RahulDravid what a player..a song from Bollywood I wanna dedicate to u is NA KOI HAI NA KOI THA.....CRICKET MAI TUMHARE JAISA.. Class apart? outstanding batting skills and slip catcher?????? pic.twitter.com/QW2qCfl8hR

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 11, 2018

Mohammad Kaif

One of the legends of the game, an inspiration as much off the field as on the field and a man who taught me so much, #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/GPmDcdIsKD

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 11, 2018

Ravi Shastri

Many happy returns of the day Rahul. Good luck with the U 19 World Cup pic.twitter.com/yToojJFWNN

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 11, 2018

Siddharth Kaul

#Happybirthday to the most humble person on earth and Great Wall of #INDIANTEAM RAHUL DRAVID SIR… https://t.co/DRzbCpZCUs

— iamSidkaul (@sidkaul22) January 11, 2018

RP Singh

Happy Birthday to the legend #RahulDravid . I have learned a lot of skills from you and I consider myself so lucky to play under your leadership. #HappyBirthdayRahulDravid #TheWall pic.twitter.com/LbdjPTDlOb

— R P Singh (@RpSingh99) January 11, 2018

Hemang Badani

If humbleness & simplicity were measured in bricks, Rahul Dravid would have made his own 'Great Wall' of China by now. Wishing him a very Happy Birthday and good luck for the #U19CWC ? pic.twitter.com/e7eSp5SiAU

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) January 11, 2018

BCCI

Commitment, Consistency, Class. Here's wishing a very Happy Birthday to Former #TeamIndia Skipper Rahul Dravid #HappyBirthdayDravid pic.twitter.com/FTgk1SjdT9

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2018

ICC

13,288 Test runs10,889 ODI runs48 international centuries1 legendary careerHappy Birthday Rahul Dravid! pic.twitter.com/R1kdkFQH5w

— ICC (@ICC) January 11, 2018

Rohit Sharma

Birthday wishes Rahul Bhai hope you have a terrific year & best wishes for the under -19 World Cup, boys couldn’t ask for a better man at the helm #HappyBirthdayDravid

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 11, 2018

Virender Sehwag

Wall in Pic 1 may or may not shake or break.But Wall in Pic 2 riding me is unshakable and unbreakable. Just sit back ,relax and have a safe ride. #HappyBirthdayDravid . Best wishes to the U-19 boys! pic.twitter.com/fP07xmQIMc

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2018