Sunil Gavaskar calls for Rahul Dravid to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna

Sunil Gavaskar added that Rahul Dravid’s achievements have brought happiness to the whole country.

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has requested the Government of India to honor Rahul Dravid with the highest civilian award of India, the Bharat Ratna.

On June 29, Dravid ended his two and a half-year coaching stint with the Indian cricket team after lifting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados. Before the global tournament began, the legendary cricketer confirmed that he would not re-apply head coach role of the senior men’s Indian cricket team.

Under Dravid, the Indian cricket team played three ICC finals in the last 12 months. India finished as runners-up in the ODI World Cup and World Test Championship 2021–23 final.

After suffering two heartbreaks in the last two ICC tournaments, India finally ended their 11-year ICC title drought by lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024. Dravid had also worked with the National Cricket Academy and even won the ICC U-19 World Cup 2018 as head coach of the U19 side before becoming senior men’s coach.

Often known as ‘The Wall,’ Dravid played 509 international matches across all formats for India. Dravid amassed a total of 24208 runs across all formats, including 48 centuries and 146 half-centuries in his legendary career.

Indian Goverment should honour Dravid with Bharat Ratna: Sunil Gavaskar

As the Indian cricket fraternity still celebrates the success of the Rohit Sharma-led India lifting the T20 World Cup 2024, legendary opener Gavaskar hailed Dravid for what he has done for Indian cricket till now.

The cricketer-turned-commentator Gavaskar added that the Government of India should confer Dravid with the prestigious Bharat Ratna. Gavaskar further said Dravid has played a huge role in grooming young talents and then the senior team.

“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 in Mid Day.

The legendary cricketer further added that Dravid’s achievements have brought happiness to the whole country, and he deserves the highest accolades the country can give.

“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?,” Gavaskar wrote.

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