Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar has demanded that the government should consider giving the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, to Rahul Dravid, under whose guidance, India won the T20 World Cup 2024.
Dravid's time as India's head coach ended with the team's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was hosted in the West Indies.
During his coaching tenure, India reached notable achievements, including placing second in both the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship final. The team also won the Asia Cup that year.
"It would be apt if the Government of India honors 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 won 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 Mid-day.
"Earlier in the year, the Bharat Ratna was given to some leaders who had done yeoman service to society. Even their most ardent supporters will agree that the influence they wielded was mostly restricted to their party and to the part of the country where they came from.
Dravid’s achievements have given joy across all party lines and caste, creed, and 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 recognize one of the greatest sons of India. Bharat Ratna, Rahul Sharad Dravid. Sounds terrific, doesn’t it?" Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar complimented Rahul Dravid for his unwavering commitment and selflessness throughout his career, both as a player and now as the Indian cricket team's head coach. Gavaskar emphasized Dravid's willingness to prioritize the team's demands over his own, citing examples from his playing career.
"Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn’t play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition.
That’s the team-oriented attitude that he inculcated in the team and if that continues, then the Indian team will win many more trophies and series. His calmness also would have rubbed off on the team as could be seen in the way they kept their nerve in the close games against Pakistan and the final when South Africa looked like they were running away with the game. He has left on a high with the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation," concluded Gavaskar.
