Mumbai, March 11: As Rahul Dravid ended his glorious 16-year-long Test career, skipper MS Dhoni paid tribute to the man who helped take the Indian team to the pinnacle of Test cricket.
On the eve of the Asia Cup, the Indian captain said players like Dravid were impossible to replace.
"Every individual is different and [someone] who comes into the side should not even think of replacing the kind of seniors that we have got. The youngsters will [put themselves] under tremendous pressure if they start to think like that.
"Anil [Kumble], Rahul, Sachin [Tendulkar], [VVS] Laxman, Sourav [Ganguly] – they are legends of the game, [who have] enjoyed the sport and played with the right kind of spirit throughout. It's tough to replace them so there is no point thinking whether or not you have players who will replace them."
Instead, Dhoni advised young players to establish their own individuality while trying to emulate the seniors’ achievements.
"Every individual is special. He brings [a] special character into the side; somebody will definitely get an opportunity to become a hero for Team India. Maybe in 10 or 12 years' time you will have a cricketer who will be very successful. But to say [that] they will replace Rahul or a talent like that is difficult,” Dhoni said.
Dhoni thanked the selfless Dravid for his immense contribution, changing his role in the side as per the situation.
"What we should be thankful is for Rahul to have played for 16 years; it's a long period. He was a great character to have in the dressing room. He was someone who loved challenges that were thrown at him throughout his career, whether it was opening the batting or keeping wicket. He is someone who will definitely be missed. He is the ideal role model and a good ambassador for the sport."
Conceding it wouldn’t be the same leading a Test team without Dravid, the pragmatic Dhoni chose to embrace the new situation.
“As a captain, it’s a tough one. But if you are a captain, then over the years changes happen. I look at it this way – he played for 16 years and gave the golden period of his life, his 20s and 30s, to the team, during which he missed [spending time with] his family. And now he has moved on. Now this is an opportunity for someone to step up, take up the challenge and do well,” he said.
