KOCHI: Having shared Team India’s dressing room with the legendary Rahul Dravid, Kerala’s first-ever Test cricketer Tinu Yohannan is sure that there could never have been a better personality in Indian cricket than the thoughtful batsman who retired from first class cricket on Friday.The Kochiite had made his Test debut as a teammate of Dravid’s against England at Mohali in 2001. The fast bowler later went on tours to the West Indies, England and New Zealand in 2002, which gave him a first-hand experience of the stylish batsman’s game and character.“It was a delightful experience to share the same dressing room as Rahul Dravid,” Tinu tells City Express.“The world is now calling Michael Hussey “Mr Cricket”. Dravid deserved to be called so much earlier. He was such a thorough professional.”He avers that Dravid, whose name is etched in the annals of cricketing history as an elegant batsman with an impeccable technique, was just as elegant and impeccable in manner and personality.“I don’t think there has been another Indian batsman, apart from Sachin Tendulkar, who has influenced youngsters as much as Dravid. His is a superb personality. Watching him in everything he did... be it while practising, playing or during free time... his dedication and meticulousness make you feel that you too need to do likewise. ”Tinu remembers Dravid as a quiet but resourceful character. “He was a quiet person but if you asked him something, he was always ready with meaningful responses. Every word he spoke oozed of knowledge.” He says that Dravid was an example for any aspiring youngster across all professions. “He is a role model for youngsters, not just in cricket but in any field. He is such a gentleman,” he says. “Normally, cricketers, or those from other professions, are good in only their own fields. They may not be too aware of happenings in other fields. But Dravid is different. He is genuinely interested in almost all fields and has great knowledge that he is ready to share with others.” Not to forget Dravid’s immense contribution to cricket, Tinu says: “The first thing that comes to mind when you talk of Dravid is his solidity. His style and technique are so assuring to teammates. Every young cricketer should learn from Dravid the value of a solid technique.”
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