Rahul Dravid's birthday: 10 iconic images of the legend that will give you goosebumps

Rahul Dravid: My heroIf you are born in India and you don't like Rahul Dravid, then mark me when I say this. There is something wrong with your X and Y chromosomes. You may like Dada or Tendulkar or Dhoni more but somewhere deep inside your heart, you will always have a place for Dravid.The Wall needs no introduction. Even though the world loves Sachin more, Rahul Dravid will always be the best at everything for me. Over the years, I have watched all his matches, read all his interviews and tried to meet him just like any other fan (but failed).Although he has retired from the game of cricket, The Wall still stands tall. His attitude both on and off the field demands nothing but respect. Sadly, what Dravid would never know is, how much he changed my life for better.Here are 10 iconic images that have captured a permanent spot in the hearts of Dravid fans.

#1 The Gillette Champion

Source: Gillette.com

Rahul Dravid joined an elite club comprising the crème-de-la-crème from global sports including Roger Federer, Thierry Henry and Tiger Woods. He was selected not only for his sporting accomplishments, but also for his behaviour away from the game. The Wall is as much a gentleman in his personal life as he is a winner in cricket.Legends. Legends. Everywhere.

#2 Being a Rahul Dravid fan is not easy

Somewhere deep inside your heart, you will always have a place for Dravid.

We are always told to learn the basics correctly. A person whose basics are correct can never fail and Rahul Dravid is one of the best examples that one can have. He has played the bulk of his cricket in an era when defensive batting was considered almost a handicap.Still, there was, is and will be only one Rahul Dravid. Thank you for the way you are.

#3 One Man Army

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Rahul Dravid appreciated real courage in life displayed by a few special Indians under difficult circumstances throughout his career. Currently, he is mentoring India’s future Olympians and Paralympians as part of the Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme.

#4 Transforming Eden Gardens into \'Garden of Heaven\'

Dravid, Laxman and the Wonder of Eden.

Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman scripted one of the greatest rescue acts in cricket with a mammoth 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket on Day 4 of the second Test, in Kolkata, in March 2001.

Asked to follow-on, India staged one of the biggest escapes ever seen in Test cricket and romped to a 171-run victory.

#5 Humble on and off the pitch

Rahul Dravid at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

India’s President Pranab Mukherjee presented Rahul Dravid with one of the country’s highest civilian awards, the Padma Bhushan in 2013.

Nine other cricketers have been awarded the Padma Bhushan, including Sunil Gavaskar and 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev.

#6 The day he conquered Adelaide

Rahul Dravid celebrates after hitting the winning runs in Adelaide.

India earned a historic Test win against Australia at Adelaide in 2003, thanks to Rahul Dravid's epic knock of 233 and top-scored the run chase with 72 runs in the second innings.

Quite fittingly he bagged the man of the match award.

#7 The last man standing at the Oval.

Dravid carries his bat at the Oval.

Dravid, the epitome of elegant defiance opened the innings for India, smashed an unbeaten 146 and became the first man to carry his bat against England since West Indian Desmond Haynes. England simply did not know how to dismiss him. Not properly anyway.

If there was ever a batsman who put a price on his wicket, it is Dravid. No wonder everyone calls him The Wall.

#8 Dravid walking towards the pavilion for the final time

With that gesture, in Bhogle's words, Trott elevated the sport to another plane.

As Dravid walked towards the pavilion after his final innings, Jonathan Trott congratulated Rahul Dravid on a fine ODI career. The England batsman wandered towards him and then took his cap off before shaking hands.

It's no surprise that the world respects Rahul Dravid.

#9 The retirement speech

A 16-year career that made him an idol at home and abroad.

‘To represent India, and thus to represent you, has been a privilege and one which I have always taken seriously. My approach to cricket has been reasonably simple: it was about giving everything to the team, it was about playing with dignity, and it was about upholding the spirit of the game. I hope I have done some of that. I have failed at times, but I have never stopped trying. It is why I leave with sadness but also with pride.’

#10 Saving his childhood club from relegation after retirement

Source: Sportzwiki.com

The venue was HAL sports club with around 20 spectators. His childhood club BUCC in the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Group I Division II match needed a victory in order to not get relegated to a lower division.The head coach of the team requested Dravid to play. He agreed, played the match, scored a century and won it for them.