Under his leadership, India also finished as runners-up in the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and the final of the 2023 World Test Championship, besides winning the Asia Cup in the same year.
Dravid, the former India captain who amassed 24,177 runs in international cricket, was also the NCA cricket chief and even won the 2018 U-19 World Cup as head coach.
"It would be appropriate for the Government of India to honor him with the Bharat Ratna, because that is what he has really 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 winning. in England, being the only one among the three Indian captains to win a series of Test matches there, a wonderful groomer of talent in his previous role as president of the National Cricket Academy and later as coach of the senior team.
"Earlier in the year, the Bharat Ratna was awarded to some leaders who had rendered great service to society. Even their most ardent supporters will agree that the influence they exerted was mainly restricted to their party and the part of the country where they came from.
"Dravid's achievements have brought joy to all parties and across castes, creeds and communities and have brought untold happiness to the entire country. Surely, that deserves the highest accolade the country can give. Come on everyone, join in me to ask the Government to recognize one of India's greatest sons, Rahul Sharad Dravid, sounds fantastic, doesn't it? wrote Gavaskar in his midday column on Sunday.
He also praised Dravid's selfless attitude during his playing days, which he continued during his time as head coach of the Indian team. "During the time he played, Dravid did everything that was asked of him. When an Indian wicket fell in the last few minutes of the day's play, he would come out to bat.
"He is not a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batsman, could not play those last few minutes of the day, how can a lower-order batsman be expected to keep wickets, he would because that helped the team's think tank choose an additional hitter or pitcher based on pitching and opposition.
"That is the team-oriented attitude he instilled in the team and if that continues then the Indian team will win many more trophies and series. His calmness would have also rubbed off on the team as could be seen from the way they kept their nerve in the matches played against Pakistan and in the final, when South Africa seemed to be taking the game away with the gratitude of a cricket-mad nation," Gavaskar concluded.
Dravid, the former India captain who amassed 24,177 runs in international cricket, was also the NCA cricket chief and even won the 2018 U-19 World Cup as head coach.
"It would be appropriate for the Government of India to honor him with the Bharat Ratna, because that is what he has really 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 winning. in England, being the only one among the three Indian captains to win a series of Test matches there, a wonderful groomer of talent in his previous role as president of the National Cricket Academy and later as coach of the senior team.
"Earlier in the year, the Bharat Ratna was awarded to some leaders who had rendered great service to society. Even their most ardent supporters will agree that the influence they exerted was mainly restricted to their party and the part of the country where they came from.
"Dravid's achievements have brought joy to all parties and across castes, creeds and communities and have brought untold happiness to the entire country. Surely, that deserves the highest accolade the country can give. Come on everyone, join in me to ask the Government to recognize one of India's greatest sons, Rahul Sharad Dravid, sounds fantastic, doesn't it? wrote Gavaskar in his midday column on Sunday.
He also praised Dravid's selfless attitude during his playing days, which he continued during his time as head coach of the Indian team. "During the time he played, Dravid did everything that was asked of him. When an Indian wicket fell in the last few minutes of the day's play, he would come out to bat.
"He is not a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batsman, could not play those last few minutes of the day, how can a lower-order batsman be expected to keep wickets, he would because that helped the team's think tank choose an additional hitter or pitcher based on pitching and opposition.
"That is the team-oriented attitude he instilled in the team and if that continues then the Indian team will win many more trophies and series. His calmness would have also rubbed off on the team as could be seen from the way they kept their nerve in the matches played against Pakistan and in the final, when South Africa seemed to be taking the game away with the gratitude of a cricket-mad nation," Gavaskar concluded.
