5 times Rahul Dravid won hearts with his gestures
Rahul Dravid is known for his calm and composed nature. He has been a true ambassador of the gentleman's game. Time and again, he has shown why he is regarded as a gentleman and is therefore respected and loved across the globe by one and all.
A beloved figure in Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid, retired on a high after coaching the team to victory in the Men's T20 World Cup 2024. This win ended India's long wait for an ICC trophy. Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir has now replaced Dravid at the helm.
Dravid always wins people's hearts with his courageous gestures, which are a testament to his principles and personality as a human being, making him stand out as an inspirational figure.
He once again made a very humble gesture, refusing to accept the bonus offered to him by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the T20 World Cup triumph.
There have been several moments where he has lived up to his character truly. Here are five such moments where Dravid displayed his true nature, reflecting how wonderful a human being he is.
5 times Rahul Dravid won hearts with his gestures
#5 Sayali Bhagat Prank
Rising cricket star Rahul Dravid found himself the target of a hilarious prank on MTV Bakra early in his career. The show set him up with a fake interview by a beautiful journalist (actress Sayali Bhagat). The interview took a shocking turn when the "journalist" proposed marriage!
Flustered but ever the gentleman, Dravid tried to leave the situation. To add to the chaos, a pretend father even entered the scene begging him to accept his daughter's hand. Just as Dravid seemed on the verge of losing his cool, the MTV Bakra team, led by host Cyrus Broacha, burst in and revealed the prank.
Despite the initial shock, Dravid's calm and composed nature even after the prank won him massive praise. The episode showcased his good sportsmanship and humble personality, endearing him to fans even more.
#4 Rejecting Honorary Doctorate
Rahul Dravid's humility extends beyond pranks. In 2017, he surprised everyone by declining an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University.
He politely explained that he'd rather earn a doctorate through his own efforts, by conducting research in the field of sports. The dedication to academic achievement alongside his cricket career further cemented his image as a well-rounded and inspiring figure.
#3 U19 World Cup 2018
Dravid's commitment to fairness has a long history. We saw it again in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but it started back in 2018.
As a U19 coach, he was initially offered a much larger bonus (₹50 lakh) compared to his support staff (₹20 lakh) and the players (₹30 lakh). However, true to his character, Dravid refused this unequal pay structure.
He insisted that everyone on the team deserved to be recognized equally, and his strong stance convinced the BCCI to adjust their pay so everyone received the same ₹25 lakh bonus.
#2 Guard of Honour at Bengaluru Academy
After leading India to a historic T20 World Cup victory, Rahul Dravid, the now-retired coach, received a hero's welcome upon returning to his hometown, Bengaluru.
At a local cricket academy, the staff and students showered him with cheers and applause. The young players even formed a guard of honor by raising their bats, a gesture Dravid humbly acknowledged by requesting them to lower their bats in respect for the sport.
He then happily shook hands with everyone, solidifying his place as a legend not just for his achievements but also for his gracious personality.
#1 T20 World Cup 2024
Rahul Dravid's reputation as a true gentleman has always extended beyond his cricketing skills. In a recent example, he refused a significantly larger bonus than his coaching staff.
The BCCI offered Dravid ₹5 crore (double the ₹2.5 crore allocated to the other coaches) after the historic T20 World Cup 2024 victory.
However, Dravid insisted on equal pay for everyone, including Vikram Rathore (batting coach), Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), and T. Dilip (fielding coach). This act exemplifies his commitment to fairness and his respect for his entire coaching team.