Why was Rahul Dravid tagged as the “WALL”

By Brian Thomas

Back in 2008 , the India tour of Sri Lanka was important to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and to the cricket-loving public of both countries, because both India and Sri Lanka at that time could compete each other with no quarters asked no quarters given unlike in 2021.

I was hunting for a guest for my ” Cricket Show ” weekly telecast that had reached its peak during that period, with Cricket, Cricket and nothing but Cricket as a subject even in rural villages in this country and the war-torn areas of our Island nation.

Rahul Dravid known as the wall in World Cricket was on tour. When he called it a day the cricketing world realized his value.

In 164 Test matches he had accumulated 13, 288 runs at an average of 52.3, whilst in the shorter version 10, 899 runs in 344 matches at an average of 39.2.

Talking to my good friend Mohamed Azurdeen the former Indian Captain, i asked him if Sri Lanka’s Marvan Atapattu and Rahul Dravid were similar in sorts. He shook his head, but said the same temperament ” Bat till the cows come home”.

In 2008 Rahul had made 805 runs, with 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries with a highest score of 136.

India was playing a warm-up game at the Tamil Union grounds, Ravi Shastri was here in Colombo, Ravi used to call me Nosy Parker and the two of us got on like house on fire. I asked Ravi do you think I can get a one on one with Rahul ? He said why not? The Indian team saw the Cricket Show in last night and they listen to your interview with Mahela Jayawardena, so go to the Tamil Union now, Rahul is an obliging human he will help you.

So off I go with my crew. My best friend in life Lennin Indika was my producer, and he even started discussing the frame and lay in visuals before we got to the venue.

Rahul saw me, before I could say hello, he removed his cap said sir you must be Brian Thomas? I was speechless, tongue-tied, and almost started tearing with emotion. In all honesty my producer Lennin Indika, an emotional person by nature almost shed a tear. An icon of that magnitude calling me sir , unbelievable.

He agreed immediately for an interview since he was not playing in the warm-up game.

I asked him many questions. I asked Rahul whats it that you treasure most in your life ? He said quote ” My parents, my country, the poor in poverty back home and my wicket. If I get dismissed for a good ball let’s say to a Mural Doosra, or a Warny flipper, even a deadly reverse swing, i will not worry but sleep well, because you are bound to be undone by an unplayable delivery. But if I throw my wicket in frustration or lack of application, I tell myself, i let down my parents, my country, all the Indians who are dependent on me and the selectors who had faith in me.