'You cannot be out in public with that written on your T-shirt' – When Rahul Dravid became upset with Suresh Raina

Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid is a cool and calm customer of the game. The veteran has been at his best behavior on and off the field. However, former Indian batsman Suresh Raina made a straddling revelation in his book, ‘Believe: What Life and Cricket Taught Me’. Raina narrated a couple of incidents when Rahul Dravid went into a serious mood.

In his book, Raina revealed that Dravid was an intense captain and prepared himself for games by being in a serious mode. There were times when Dravid would appear on the breakfast table with a tough look and Raina would want to go to him and tell him to just relax and smile. 

“At times, I wondered if I should just ask him to relax a little and smile. But I knew that this was his way of preparing for a game. He was in that zone where nobody could bother him,” stated Raina.

One thing that the former Indian skipper was very particular about was the way the players carried themselves out in the public. Raina asserted that Rahul looked at playing for India as an honour. He was of the opinion that the cricketers are representatives of their country, and thus, they should be mindful of what they wear and how they present themselves. 

Suresh Raina recalls getting scolded by Rahul Dravid

However, there was an instance when Raina received a scolding from the former Indian skipper for his wrong choice of clothes. Sharing an incident from 2006 when India were in Malaysia for a tri-series featuring West Indies and Australia, the 34-year-old revealed that Dravid disapproved of his branded t-shirt and warned him to not go out in public wearing the same. 

While shopping in Malaysia, Raina came across a stylish t-shirt that had ‘FCUK’ written on it. Raina was impressed with the clothing and decided to purchase it. However, while walking back the cricketer bumped with Dravid who lectured him to be mindful of what he is wearing in public. 

“Do you know what you are wearing and walking around in? You are an Indian cricketer. You cannot be out in public with that written on your T-shirt.” Raina admitted that he was so taken aback and scared that he immediately went to the restroom, changed into something else, and threw that T-shirt in the bin.