Rahul Dravid’s consistent performance – coupled with his exemplary professional and personal conduct – offers great lessons that we all can learn from the legendary batsman. Here are 5 things we can learn from Rahul Dravid:
Rahul Dravid was initially considered only as a Test-specialist. But he was unperturbed and determined to improve his game. He recognized his weaknesses and worked hard towards overcoming them. He knew his game wasn’t up to the mark for the limited-overs cricket, but he worked hard and kept getting better. As a result, he played 344 One Day International matches for India and scored 10889 runs, including 12 centuries.
We can do well to follow this approach. If things are not working out, we must introspect and recognize our shortcomings, and keep working towards overcoming them.
2. LEARN TO ADAPT TO CHANGE
One of the greatest problems that most of us face is resistance to change. In his long career, Rahul Dravid batted in every slot for No.1 to No.7, kept wickets, led his team and bowled occasional off-spin, too. Dravid kept adjusting and reinventing his game, and this is why he is India’s most successful batsman in away Test matches.
3. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu described Rahul Dravid’s in one line- “Some succeed because they are destined to, but Rahul Dravid succeeded because he was DETERMINED to.” Dravid always knew that Sachin Tendulkar is the most premier batsman of his generation, but the defiance of Dravid earned him the sobriquet ‘The Wall’. Optimism and self-belief is what made Dravid establish a special place for himself in world cricket. And this self belief came from his solid-technique, which in turn was a result of his consistent hard-work.
4. YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN
Rahul Dravid is one of the most-technically sound batsmen this world has ever see. But, he was never too proud to seek advice. In 2002, during the tour of England, Dravid did not hesitate to take batting tips from Michael Vaughan after Vaughan had blasted off India’s spinners.
We can all learn from Dravid that growth can only be ensured if we forward in a conducive environment.
5. NEVER BE COMPLACENT
Despite the number of runs and centuries that Rahul Dravid scored in international cricket, he never missed a training session. Harbhajan Singh, who played most of his cricket with Rahul Dravid said, I have never seen him [Dravid] missing catching sessions. We can all learn from Rahul Dravid’s hunger to learn and get better, even when people hailed him as one of the best in the world.
