Hemang Badani reveals interesting story about ex-teammate Rahul Dravid

Former India batter and current India team coach Rahul Dravid was known for his patience and resilience when he played for India and opposition bowlers would struggle to get his wicket once he was set on the crease. On the occassion of his birthday, his ex-teammate and former India batter Hemang Badani has come up with an interesting story involving the current head coach, which is unheard to cricket fans.

On 11th January 2023, Rahul Dravid celebrated his 50th birthday. He is regarded as one of the finest batters to have graced Indian cricket. He was nicknamed 'The Wall'.

I am going to bat 5 hours to get a hundred: Rahul Dravid

Dravid was famous for his rock-solid defence. Many bowlers have stated how much frustrated they used to get when Dravid got set and it got almost impossible to dismiss him. In this regard, his former teammate Hemang Badani shared a story where Dravid jusitfied his stance of wanting to bat for hours.

"Rahul would only keep the ball on the floor. At one point I said, Rahul you have got one 100, you got two, you got four, you've got 5. What the hell is happening Rahul? Aren't you bored? Don't you like to try something else here?," Badani narrated the incident of a funny conversation with Dravid.

"He said Hemang, it's quite simple for me. I take a night train. In those days there were no aircrafts and they were very expensive. I take the night train. I travel for 6-6.5 hours. I am not gonna travel that much and go back 6.5 hours to bat for 3 hours. I am going to bat 5 hours to get a hundred. And it's as simple as that for me. If I am travelling so much and playing the game, I better make sure that I am in there for 5 hours," Badani shared.

A 🤏 story overheard in our dressing room that will make you 🧡 birthday boy #RahulDravid a bit more! 🎂#OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/5IBM8BIPeo

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 11, 2023

"He lived in Bangalore and this cricket was happening in Chennai. And he used to come over to Chennai to play the Chennai league, which is one of the most prolific leagues in India. He would come in and churn 100s after 100s. Every game. And I was somebody who was skilled but I would loft the ball and everything. Go out there and get out. Lofting and getting out long off and stuff," Badani said in a video shared by IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.