A generation of big players always inspires their successors. It is a norm in India, to idealize players like Sachin Tendulkar or Rahul Dravid. These legendary players generally lay down the foundation of millions of dreams in the country for the budding players. In fact, it is always good to have role models of that one can look up to and it is cherry on the cake if it is someone like Rahul Dravid. The former Indian captain has always been the epitome of the sportsman spirit and gave his best while playing.
There is no doubt that Rahul Dravid has inspired many youngsters in India to take up the sport and India’s batsman Manish Pandey is one of them. Pandey said that he has been a big fan of Dravid and he always looked up to him as a perfect role model.
Rahul Dravid is the cricket’s paragon.
Manish Pandey recalled the excitement when he shared the same stage with his idol for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy and then later at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
“When I was a kid, I used to look up to Rahul Dravid. I was always a big fan of his. The way he was disciplined towards his game and life, that was really good.”
“When I was playing Under 19, I used to love to watch him bat. He used to stand in the first slip and I was standing in the second slip (while playing for RCB). That feeling was very surreal,” said Pandey while speaking on Spicy Pitch on Cricbuzz.
Furthermore, it is also known that Dravid helped Pandey in improving his game when he was coaching the India A side. However, Pandey hasn’t received a consistent run in the Indian team.
Rahul Dravid has ticked all the right boxes.
The right-hander has scored 492 runs in 26 ODI matches at an average of 35.14. The Karnataka batsman has scored 707 runs in 38 T20Is at an impressive average of 47.13. Pandey, who is not known for his rule book technique has been in sublime form in the last couple of domestic seasons. However, the right-hander could not get a lot of chances for the national side.
Pandey is a livewire in the field and is one of the best Indian fielders. The right-hander has scored 2843 runs in 130 IPL matches.