As a person and cricketer, I have learnt a lot from cricket. The time has flown and it has been a good journey.
Rahul Dravid, who played his last competitive cricket match on October 6, 2013 said that he has a learnt a lot from the game and has enjoyed his journey as a professional cricketer. Dravid also said that he was overwhelmed by the farewell given to him at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.
Dravid didn’t have a fairy tale finish that he deserved as Royals were beaten by Mumbai Indians in the final of the 2013 Champions League Twenty20; which was also the last for Sachin Tendulkar in coloured clothing.
“As a person and cricketer, I have learnt a lot from cricket. The time has flown and it has been a good journey, and one that I have enjoyed,” Dravid told Headlines Today.
Dravid also said that he couldn’t have asked for anything more from his professional life as he was able to turn his hobby and love into a career.
On the standing ovation from the crowd at Kotla, Dravid said, “the farewell was a special one and there is a sense of gratitude towards fans.”
Dravid said he had learnt a lot from playing Twenty20 cricket, adding that he didn’t think he would end up playing in the Indian Premier League for six seasons. He added though now it’s time to leave that stage to youngsters.
“It’s time for the youngsters to take the stage now and for me to move on to something else,” Dravid told the channel.
On Tendulkar’s forthcoming landmark of 200 Tests, Dravid said he hopes his former long-time team mate does well in his momentous match. “Two hundred Tests is a big number; 100 tests is such a big thing and 200 one can’t even dream of. It is a moment to be celebrated.”
Rajasthan Royals coach Paddy Upton had hinted after the CL Twenty20 final that the franchise could bring Dravid back on board as a mentor because the former India captain has been integral to the way that the team has set things up.
“Rahul has been very integral to the way we have set things up at Royals. He is very approachable and we would very much like to have him involved going forward in some way or the other,” Upton had said.
