Sharad Dravid can be termed an avid cricket buff. It's only natural when you are the father of a batsman who has scored 13,288 Test runs with 36 centuries. You couldn't keep him away from TV when cricket was on.
However, it's not the same anymore. With Rahul Dravid having retired, his interest in the game has also waned. "Certainly, I will miss watching Rahul on TV. I was in the habit of recording all his innings, but one has to realise the day has to come. It's how life is," says Dravid Sr.
"Cricket is not the same now, naturally my interest has gone down. The other day, Sri Lanka's match was on and I watched a bit."
It has been an emotional few weeks in the Dravid household after Rahul announced his retirement. His proud father was at both functions, in Bangalore when his son made the announcement and at the BCCI function on Tuesday when his team mates and former stars formally felicitated him.
It would have been in the fitness of things if Dravid had walked into retirement at a Test match, but his family is contented.
{{/usCountry}}It would have been in the fitness of things if Dravid had walked into retirement at a Test match, but his family is contented.
{{/usCountry}}"We are not a family which gets excited about occasions. He's had a glorious run, what more can a father ask of a son?"
Coming after the high of the English summer, everyone was stunned by Dravid's dismal run in Australia. "Having seen him get three hundreds in four Tests in England and then nothing in Australia, I felt bad. But it is a momentary feeling; we have seen his very good times also."
Was there an urge to ask Rahul to continue for a year and retire in a home series? "He would have to wait for five-six months for that. Whether you play for 16 or 17 years, how does it matter? It's about contentment."