THANK YOU DRAVID

THANK YOU DRAVID

Thank you Dravid, Thank you for the memories.

Thank you for Lords, 1996.

For those 95 runs, for that glimpse into greatness.

Thank you for World Cup 1999.

For the runs & centuries that helped get over being knocked out.

Thank you for Kolkata, 2001.

For an innings, played with fervor & despite fever, that heralded us into a new era.

Thank you for Headingley, 2002.

For a century that not only gave victory, but hope & confidence in the future.

Thank you for Adelaide, 2003.

For the 233, the tears of joy and the high of winning on Australian soil.

Thank you for Rawalpindi, 2004.

For the 270, the highest score, pride of beating Pakistan at home.

Thank you for ICC Awards 2004.

For making India proud winning the Garfield Sobers Trophy.

Thank you for 2005.

For taking up captaincy in uncertain circumstances and doing the best you can even though you weren’t the best.

Thank you for West Indies, 2006.

For leading us to a victory once again, helping shed the tag of poor tourists.

Thank you for England, 2007.

For a series win at the home of cricket, for the graceful exit from leadership.

Thank you for Perth, 2008.

For helping us forget the Sydney nightmare, for another historic win at an unlikely venue.

Thank you for New Zealand & India 2009.

For understatedly laying the foundations for another overseas series win; for helping India achieve the Number 1 position.

Thank you for India, 2010.

For whitewashing Australia, for snatching back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Thank you for England, 2011.

For being the only silver lining in dark times, for the long-awaited ton at Lord’s, the three consecutive sixes, for giving us something to smile about.

Thank you for Wankhede, 2011.

For making my dream come true, those 82 runs which I was blessed to watch live, for crossing 13000 runs.

Thank you for Bangalore, 2012.

For leaving me with sadness but with pride.

Thank you Dravid,

For that sweat-stained, faded blue Indian Test Cap. The crown of your achievement, the testimony of your hard-work.

Thank you Dravid,

The long hours on the crease, the defiant batting stance, the look of concentration, the sweat pouring off your face in rivulets, the sweet sound of bat hitting ball, the sheer beauty of textbook technique.

Thank you Dravid,

For the 16 years that you played, the 16 years that you wore the India jersey, the 16 years that you used your bat to create magic.

For all the times that you made us happy, sad, proud, angry, bored, buoyed, heartened, humbled.

For the sweat, the tears, the blood.

Thank you Dravid,

Thank you for the memories.