‘No life without cricket’

[1]

Rahul Dravid

It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say that discipline is a byword for Rahul Dravid. The former India captain and the third highest run-getter in Tests, who was in Chennai to play in the TNCA senior division league final last week, was still meticulously preparing to help his team — on this occasion Vijay CC — come up trumps.

There is nothing that has not been written about Dravid the cricketer. From being the most reliable Indian batsman to being versatile in adapting to the demands of fast-food cricket, everything has been covered about the Wall in detail.
In a casual chat with this newspaper, the legend was affable enough to share a few interesting facts about his personal life.
Dravid spoke about his love for books and his hobbies among others. Excerpts:

Earliest sporting memory: Playing cricket in front of my home with my dad.

Other sport played: Football, hockey, tennis, badminton.

Few words on your school life? School life was fun.

Your first experience holding a cricket bat? I have always held a cricket bat from the time I can remember. I used to keep swinging it around my house for endless hours.

What would you have done without cricket? That’s a tough call. I am really not sure what I would have done. I have never had a life outside cricket.

Most memorable sporting moment? Making my Test debut against England at the Lord’s in 1996.

Worst sporting moment: There are many (to mention) in a long career.

Sporting heroes: Growing up, I adored G.R. Viswanath, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Outside cricket, I have followed Michael Jordan, Roger Federer and John McEnroe.

Favourite venue: Lord’s.

Sporting event you would pay the most to watch: The Olympics, which I haven’t had a chance to see.

Sporting motto: Enjoy the game and always aim to get better.

Who would you most like to invite to dinner and why? I need to take my wife Vijeta out for dinner (laughs). I haven’t been spending enough time at home.

The best match you ever saw: The 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The person you learnt most from: My dad had a great influence on me.

Favourite holiday spot: I love visiting the Kabini forest in Karnataka.

A piece of advice to youngsters: Enjoy the game and always work hard at getting better.

Your biggest extravaganza: Books are my prized possessions.

The craziest thing you have ever done: At times, facing genuinely quick bowlers can actually be a crazy thing to do.

A habit you wish you could get rid of: I wish I only had a bit more discipline over eating sweets.

Funniest fan letter? After I got married, a lot of my letters have gone from being ‘dear Rahul’ to ‘dear Rahul bhaiyya’. I found that hilarious.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I would like to spend a lot of time with my children but still be able to dabble and stay involved with the game that I love so much.