Former cricketer and India U-19 cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid was formally inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in Dublin on Sunday. Former English batswoman Claire Taylor and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting were also inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame.
Rahul Dravid is the fifth Indian to be inducted to the prestigious group that includes cricketing legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble.
Ponting is the 25th player from Australia to do so. Taylor is the seventh woman overall and the third female player from England to be named in the list.
Although coaching commitments mean Rahul couldn’t be here tonight, he has sent this brief message from India as he takes his place among cricket’s all-time greats #ICCHallofFame pic.twitter.com/uRSHHurKIc
— ICC (@ICC) July 1, 2018
Describing it as a great honour and privilege, Dravid, in his acceptance speech, said ” I am thankful to the ICC for giving me this honour. It is a privilege to be among a group of people I have looked up to and I have admired as a young man growing up in the journey as a cricketer. I’d love to be able to thank so many people who have made it possible for me to have a career in the sport and to fulfil my dreams.”
Rahul Dravid inducted into @ICC Hall of Fame.
The former India captain and present coach of India A and India U19 is the fifth Indian to be named in the list.
More details here – https://t.co/RraStstdJ5 pic.twitter.com/Fassxmh2ds
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 2, 2018
“My parents, my family, my two kids, my so many friends, colleagues that I have played with, and played against that enriched my game. My many coaches right from the time I was in school and the coaches I have played for in India have really helped me to develop as a cricketer. I would not be here if not for support and love that they have given me and I’m truly grateful and thankful for it,” he added.
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