The great wall of the India Dravid history

• During his peak, Rahul Dravid was The Great Wall of India. Fans would feel secure and relaxed about India’s position whenever Rahul Dravid was at the crease to battle it out against the deadliest of pace batteries in the world. The reason for this huge belief in Rahul Dravid is because of his fighting spirit, ability to keep his calm and shape in the toughest of periods in the middle and the ability to adapt to different conditions.
• If one has to think of Sachin Tendulkar, the sandstorm knocks in Sharjah 1998 come to mind. And if one has to think of Brian Lara, then his marathon knocks in Test Cricket appear vividly in the mind. And if the name VVS Laxman is taken, then the first thing that comes to the mind is his epic knock of 281 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But when it comes to the name Rahul Dravid, 
• its difficult to remember any of his innings. All that one can remember of Dravid is his gritty attitude. ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid had rescued his side many a times from the most difficult positions. Even though he was surrounded by great attacking batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid plays well within his limitations and has been the architect of many Indian victories.
• Dravid has played many selfless knocks in his career. Many of them were overshadowed by his partners. One example for this is the 2001 Test at Kolkata and what most people would remember is VVS Laxman scoring 281. But most people tend to forget the 180 scored by Rahul Dravid which was equally precious. Infact, the entire career of Dravid will contain many such selfless knocks which may not have given him the superstar image but certainly have helped India win and save matches.
• The world’s leading run-getter in Test Cricket after Sachin Tendulkar is none other than ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid! He has scored 13,288 runs in 164 Tests scoring 36 hundreds. Dravid had also crossed 10,000 runs in ODI Cricket. Having said that these statistics and numbers just cannot measure the greatness of Rahul Dravid. ‘The Wall’ Rahul Dravid is just not about these mere numbers! That is because he has always been a team player, he is someone who will bat for you at the top of the order or lower down the order whichever way it suits the team. 
• He wouldn't stubbornly say that he wants to bat at only a particular batting order or say that he will bat only in certain conditions of play. Dravid is someone who even took on the wicket keeping gloves in the 2003 World Cup despite being a top specialist batsman in his side just to help India attain a good team balance to play seven batsmen in the XI. His acceptance to double up as the Wicket Keeper played a crucial role in India reaching the Finals of the 2003 World Cup under Sourav Ganguly. Dravid has always remained to be overshadowed by other stars but on his own he has always done a commendable job for his country right till the end.
•  The wall has come down. Rahul Dravid, one of the finest batsmen of his era, announced his retirement Friday to begin a changing of the guard in India's test team.
• In a 16-year career, the 39-year-old Dravid built a reputation as a masterful batsman with immense powers of concentration. His painstaking approach and ability to stay at the crease despite the best efforts of opposing bowlers earned him the nickname "The Wall.
• "My approach to cricket has been reasonably simple: it was about giving everything to the team, it was about playing with dignity, and it was about upholding the spirit of the game," Dravid said at a news conference Friday. "I have failed at times, but I have never stopped trying.
• The No. 3 batsman formed part of a feared India batting lineup also boasting Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman, both of whom could soon follow their teammate into international retirement.
• "There was and is only one Rahul Dravid, there can be no other," Tendulkar, India's "Little Master," told the NDTV news channel. "I will miss Rahul in the dressing room and out in the middle. I have shared the best moments with him."
• Dravid, who had already quit one-day and Twenty20 international cricket, scored five centuries in 2011 and in England became the first player ever to score three centuries for a team that lost every test in a series.
• But he could manage only 194 runs during India's recent 4-0 test whitewash in Australia amid calls for India to give younger batsmen a chance.
• I've played for 16 years and it was time I moved on to give a chance to youngsters to take the team forward," Dravid said.
• Dravid scored 13,228 runs in 164 tests with 36 centuries, and 10,889 runs in 344 one-dayers with 12 centuries. He also holds the record for most test catches by a fielder with 210.
• Among many other distinctions, Dravid has scored centuries in all 10 test-playing countries, and once scored four consecutive centuries (against England and the West Indies) in 2002.
• His 376-run stand with Laxman against Australia at the Eden Gardens at Kolkata in 2001 helped India win the test despite following on, and he became only the second batsman after Don Bradman to score double hundreds in three successive series when he compiled 222 versus New Zealand at Ahmedabad in 2003-04, 233 against Australia at Adelaide in 2003-04 and 270 versus Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2003-04.
• His most memorable test performance was scoring that 233 and a 72 not out to ensure India's first test victory in Australia in 23 years
• "I was like every other boy in India, with a dream of playing for my country. Yet I could never have imagined a journey so long and so fulfilling. No dream is ever chased alone," he said, thanking his coaches, captains and selectors who backed him over the years.
• Dravid is among a select band of batsmen to have reached five-figure career totals in both test and one-day cricket and was recognized for his performances by being named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 2000 and ICC player of the year at the ICC's inaugural awards ceremony in 2004
• "He was a perfectionist," said former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who made his debut in the same Lord's test as Dravid in June 1996. "His determination, technique and commitment towards the game was something special.
• "It's really tough to become another Rahul Dravid. It will not happen overnight. It has taken him long to get here. One has to go through a lot of hardships and commitment."
• Dravid maintained that his decision to retire was not hastened by his failure to pull India out of a recent eight-match losing streak in overseas tests in England and Australia.
• "I did not take the decision based on what happened in recent series," he said. "I thought this was the time to go. It is a difficult moment, but it is a moment that has to come to everybody. I also know that in some ways it has been an easy decision."
• Dravid, who captained India from 2005 to 2007, also played crucial roles in one-day games, especially World Cups. He was the highest scorer in the 1999 World Cup in England with 461 runs and took the additional role of wicketkeeper to lend balance to a Ganguly-led team that made the final of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
• Dravid isn't giving up playing completely. He will still lead will lead the Rajasthan Royals in this year's Twenty20 Indian Premier League, beginning April 4. Other than that, he plans to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.