TEAM INDIA captain Rahul Dravid today declared himself thrilled to be back in his birthplace and, going by the reception accorded to him, the City reciprocates the sentiment.
Dravid, nicknamed The Wall for his dour batting style, reached Indore from Bangalore aboard Jet Airways at 7.45 am and called on several close relatives before making his way to Fortune Landmark Hotel at around 9.30 pm.
Large numbers of autograph hunters gathered outside the residences of each of the Indian skipper’s relatives and were rewarded when Dravid smilingly agreed to affix his signature.
Upon arriving in the City, the skipper enveloped uncle Sudhakar Kale who had reached the airport to receive him in a bear hug.
After spending a little time with City BJP chief Ramesh Mendola and MP cricket coach Devashish Nilose the duo made their way straight to the skipper’s aunt’s residence at Minakshi Apartment, Narayanbag.
From here Dravid wended his way to sister Chitra Milind Shiralkar’s house at Scheme No 78 and after spending an hour chitchatting with her family he reached the hotel to a grand reception.
The hotel doorman was the first to greet the Indian captain who was then greeted in the traditional manner with tilak before moving on to sign the 12-feet tall bat placed in the lobby.
After an hour’s rest Dravid returned to his uncle’s house opposite Jall Sabha Griha where he stayed for around an hour before returning to the hotel at around 1.30 pm.
After an hour’s rest Dravid returned to his uncle’s house opposite Jall Sabha Griha where he stayed for around an hour before returning to the hotel at around 1.30 pm.