New Delhi: Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Union government to consider T20 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid for the Bharat Ratna award – the highest civilian award in the country.
Dravid guided India to the World Cup, their first major ICC title after 11 years. It was their second T20 World Cup triumph since lifting its inaugural edition in 2007 and first since winning the ODI World Cup in 2011.
Dravid had earlier announced to leave the job after the tournament, having been in the hot seat for three and half years. Under him, India were beaten in the final of the ICC World Test Championship and ODI World CUp final last year.
“It would be apt if the Government of India honours him with the Bharat Ratna, for that’s what he has truly been. Great player and captain of the country with famous away series wins in the West Indies when wins there really meant something and also win in England being only among the three Indian captains to have won a Test match series there, a wonderful talent groomer in his earlier role of the chairman of the National Cricket Academy and then as coach of the senior team,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day on Sunday.
India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown, Barabados, on June 29. It sparked wild celebrations in India and after a delay to return to the country because of hurricane Beryl the teams was accorded a heroes welcome.
“Earlier in the year, the Bharat Ratna was given to some leaders who had done yeoman service to society. Even their most ardent supporters will agree that the influence they wielded was mostly restricted to their party and to the part of the country where they came from.
“Dravid’s achievements have given joy across all party lines and across caste, creed, communities and brought untold happiness to the whole country. Surely, that deserves the highest accolade the country can give. C’mon everybody, please join me in asking the Government to recognise one of the greatest sons of India. Bharat Ratna, Rahul Sharad Dravid. Sounds terrific, doesn’t it?” wrote Gavaskar in his column for Mid-Day on Sunday.
Prome Minister narendr Modi hosted the team for a brekafast part at his residence in Delhi after which the team embarked on a victory parade on top of an open-air victory parade and was later felicitated by the BCCI at the Wankhede Stadium.
“During the time he was playing, Dravid did anything that was asked of him. When an Indian wicket fell around the dying minutes of the day’s play, he would walk out to bat.
“Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn’t play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition,” Gavaskar said.
“That’s the team-oriented attitude that he inculcated in the team and if that continues, then the Indian team will win many more trophies and series. His calmness also would have rubbed off on the team as could be seen in the way they kept their nerve in the close games against Pakistan and the final when South Africa looked like they were running away with the game. He has left on a high with the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation.”
Rahul Dravid guided India to the World Cup, their first major ICC title after 11 years. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
