Dravid chases sepia dreams

by JOSEPH HOOVER

Dravid had the privilege of meeting former Sri Lanka captain Bandula Warnapura, Roy Dias and Duleep Mendis at a private gathering, when the Lankans played an unofficial Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in 1982.

BANGALORE, Aug 11: At nine, Rahul Dravid, like any other kid his age, chased cricket icons for autographs, a collection of which - mainly comprising bats and stumps - he has tucked away among his cricket memorabilia.

Then, he had the privilege of meeting former Sri Lanka captain Bandula Warnapura, Roy Dias and Duleep Mendis at a private gathering, when the Lankans played an unofficial Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in 1982.

Today, at 33, Dravid is in command of Team India, determined to storm the Lankan bastion which has been impregnable for quite some time now, especially in One-dayers. Probably, he may meet the very idols who had met him 24 years ago. In any case, that isn't the reason that he is in Colombo now. His mission is to return home triumphant.

Moments before his departure, TOI caught up with the Indian captain, reminding him of his autograph-seeking forays. "Like it is for any other kid these days, it was also a thrill for me to meet players and get their autographs when I was young. I was lucky to have photographs taken of me with some great players when the Sri Lankan and Pakistani teams visited here. I have quite a few autographs. It was a big thrill to get players to oblige. I loved doing it," said Dravid.

This aspect of his cricket would perhaps have been buried had he not chased his dream to catch a glimpse of the elusive tiger at the Nagarhole National Park. Holidaying with his wife, Vijeyta, at Waterwoods, Dravid was shown the picture by Ram, a former director of a star hotel where Warnapura's Lankans had stayed.

"He did not take his eyes off it. In fact, he recalled how he had been reprimanded by his mother for wearing the T-shirt (see pic) over and over again," said Ram.

Recalled Dravid's father, Sharad: "While I would make cutouts of Sunil Gavaskar, GR Viswanath, Kapil Dev... and stick them in scrap books, Dravid would seek autographs. And he would be excited, recalling how he had convinced players to sign. On a couple of occasions, he asked the player's name after getting his signature. It was embarrassing.

"There are some aspects we have not shared with others. We would want people to know how focussed he was even as a kid. That is one of the reasons why he has made it big. Even when he was five, I would take him to Ranji and Test matches. He would follow the game very intently and never ever trouble me saying 'Dad, I am bored. Let's go home.'

"By the time he was eight, he would repeat every stroke that a batsman made at the wicket, rehearsing it in the stands. It was very striking indeed," recalled Sharad.

His father jogged down memory lane. "Rahul wouldn't mind what people said. He would be miming batting and bowling actions on the streets. In fact, veteran journalist S Viswam had termed Dravid's constant rehearsals as 'Rahul Cricketnatyam'. He would do that right until he fell asleep."

Pure concentration and hard work have been the reasons to the success of the starry-eyed boy. Wonder if Warnapura, Mendis and Dias know of their contribution.

TIMES NEWS NETWORK