I have always idolised Dravid

I still remember the moment when I first saw Rahul Dravid in person. It was during a Test match between India and Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

While he was a star cricketer, I was chosen as one of the ball boys for that Test. That’s how I got an opportunity to watch him and those moments were really exciting for a young cricketer like me. I even clicked a few pictures with the man and that made it even more special.

Like most of my contemporaries, I have grown up watching Dravid and he has always been my idol. I must admit that he is someone I look up to. I have always idolised him for his ethics, both on and off the field. As a cricketer, he has always motivated me.

Years after that Test match, I got a chance to know Rahul bhai better after I was chosen for Karnataka’s camp ahead of the Ranji Trophy. At that time I got to spend more time with him and learnt a lot. He had even given me his bat, which I still treasure.

Over the years, Rahul bhai has taught me a lot and he is the man I look up to for inspiration.

As told to Shayan Acharya