The Great Wall is now 13,000 Bricks Strong!

Rahul Dravid acknowledges the crowd after scoring his 13,000th run
Image Courtesy: Cricinfo

My Idol Rahul Dravid completes an extraordinary milestone of 13,000 runs in Test Cricket, the second ever in the history of Test Cricket to do so. Only other player to achieve this feat is the icon Sachin Tendulkar who has scored over 15,000 runs.

Also with this innings, Dravid went past 1,000 runs this calendar year - Only player to do so this year, so far. And this is the third time Dravid has amassed 1,000 or more runs in a calendar year. The previous occasions when he achieved this feat were in 2002 and 2006.

Dravid went past 13,000 runs soon after lunch on Day 3 of the third Test against West Indies in Mumbai when he drove West Indies skipper Darren Sammy through the covers for a classic boundary, showcasing the vintage Rahul Dravid, which gave me immense joy and happiness.

Dravid has been in outstanding form this year scoring 5 centuries, two against West Indies and three against England, in England. Four out of those 5 centuries have come in very tough conditions and Dravid has delivered when the team needed the most as he always does.

The first century came in Jamaica under some extremely tough batting conditions. Dravid's century was instrumental in India winning that Test Match which helped India win that 3-Test series 1-0.

The next 3 centuries came in England again under tough batting conditions and a brilliant English bowling attack. Dravid's effort was absolutely monumental; it was a super-human performance by Dravid where every other Indian batsman failed except him. He was the only Indian batsman to score a century in that series. India suffered a humiliating 4-0 whitewash and all of Dravid's brilliant centuries in the series ended in defeats, heartbreakingly.

The 5^th century this year came in this series against the West Indies in the Kolkata Test which Dravid himself described as one of the easiest centuries he has made.

Image Courtesy: Cricinfo

I was expecting Dravid to amass his 37^th Test Century today but unfortunately he was bowled for a well-made 82 of the bowling of Marlon Samuels when he tried to cut the ball which was not quite there to be cut and also the ball didn't bounce as much as Dravid expected, barely clipping his off stump and knocking off the bails. Dravid was unsure and so he waited for the Third Umpire's decision where the replays showed he was indeed bowled.

Assuming Dravid might not get a chance to bat in this match again, he has one more Test Match to play until the end of this year against Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. So, I am hoping Dravid will remain the highest run scorer this year and end this year on a high in what has been a fantastic year for the batting great.

Take a bow, my Inspiration, Rahul "The Wall" Dravid.

A Special Bond

Image Courtesy: Google Images

We may not have known each other the longest,

Nor we have known each other the best.

I knew you only as a friend of friend,

But now, you are my only friend.

My shyness has always been a hindrance in building a relationship,

But that is certainly not the case with our friendship.

You make me feel secure and comfortable with your warmth and kindness.

Our friendship blossomed towards the end of our course,

But I promise you I will maintain it till the end of my life.

You have been my strength during my worst,

I know with you by my side, I will eventually regain my best.

We may not be siblings by birth,

But you mean more to me than a sister I never had.

If I have ever hurt you, I hope never,

I pray the special bond we share remains forever.