Rahul Dravid, The Man Ultimate Team

Bangalore: sports and fairy tales do not always go together, and Rahul Dravid, international cricket career did not end another glorious in an appropriate manner.

His retirement from international cricket on Friday first-class comes in the back of a disastrous tour of Australia, where he was shot six times in eight innings of four tests, with one half century (68 in Melbourne), a record that was in stark contrast to the five centuries in 10 tests in the second half of 2011.

The dramatic fall in the only way to intensified calls for withdrawal, along with two other seniors, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar, both of which also fell in Australia. However, Dravid, announcing his retirement on Friday, said his failure in Australia had little to do with his decision to quit cricket.

"Do not take this decision based on a series (in Australia). It is a combination of a lot of other things. I needed to be sure he was playing the game for the right reasons.

"I've done for 16 years. I had a great career. Not that I woke up one morning and decided to retire. At the end of the day, I knew I had to go. I did not feel the need to drag at any time," said.

In cricket, it is said that a player is as good as your last innings, and so worth that Dravid could not finish his career at the top, but the tour of Australia in no way diminishes his stature as one of the great modern .

Since its debut in the test in the Lord, which announced its arrival with a stroke of 95, Dravid became established as a first class batsman, respected by the 13,000, more runs scored, as the technical excellence with which offset the world's best bowlers.

However, it was his focus and determination, while putting a price on his window that separated from the rest Dravid. His batting momentum and elegance incarnate is also reflected in his character. Elegant and sober, Dravid often admitted that he was not the most "attractive" for hitters to see, although, the extravagance to the surface, his critics in impressive silence.

Resilience was his greatest virtue more often than not off his team from troubled waters and in his later years, he earned nicknames like "Mr. Reliable" and "the wall".

"I know I've been called The Wall, but frankly, I thought I was getting ready," he said with characteristic humor, reflecting a man who was willing to look in the mirror and not flinch at what he saw.

Knowing Dravid, praise probably appreciate most is that he was recognized as the man Ultimate Team, ready to sacrifice their own interests for the sake of the team as it did in the ODIs.

Although it began as a wicket-keeper, Dravid refused the big gloves, but in the middle phase of his career in India, which agrees with Don again to the team can adapt to a batter extra. He also agreed to open the entries for the same reason. Few man do not care if we enjoyed the extra responsibilities, but the equanimity with which he discharged the functions, their reluctance to maintain or open gates of the entries are not noticed.

Like many great players before him, Dravid did not distinguish himself as a leader of men. He was the guy who prefers to put his shoulder to the wheel instead of pulling the trolley. Discernment is not surprised that his short stay of 25 tests as captain brought only eight victories before he resigned to captain in circumstances remain a mystery.

However, Dravid did well to put those dark days, including the output of the first round of the 2007 World Cup, not to mention the taunts behind him. "When you play international sport, you have to learn to deal with praise and criticism, which are two sides of the same coin. For me, I was about to do my best at all times," Dravid said on Friday .

Last year, when the calls for the retirement of older people grew loud, Dravid silenced the critics with three centuries in England, who blanked India by 4-0. A century against West Indies seemed set Dravid tourism very well for what was speculated in his last tour of Australia, but what happened was a nightmare.

"I think Rahul face better bowling in England than in Australia, where he developed a technical fault falling to his right and try to reach the ball. I say to Rahul and asked him to stand a bit outside the line, while off the fast bowlers. However, these adjustments have a lot of time, "said former Karnataka captain and current coach of Jeshwanth Karthik, who has closely followed Dravid from school.

"I still feel that Rahul has at least a couple more seasons in him, but he must have had reasons to withdraw. If all there is a role model and a complete package, is Rahul" said Jeshwanth whose all-round skills had put on the periphery of the national team.

Articulate with great interest in the outside world cricket, Dravid communication skills have earned him much praise as his hitting. His speech at the prayer of Bradman in Australia recently won rave reviews for the thought process and delivery soon. Consequently, many viewed him in the role of a manager sooner rather than later.

For now, Dravid said his test inputs closed, leaving only memories of a time he dominated, but never received the praise it deserves. However, lent dignity and grace of Indian cricket, something that can not be said for many players.

Sources: Times Of India