Pictures on the Wall

I don’t remember exactly where I got these from, but when Picasa discovered them for me on my hard disk last night I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe some of you have seen the photographs before (if you recollect where – a book, magazine, website – please pass on the info here). The initial photographs are a lot of fun. So let me play a little game.

Can you identify who this cuddly little six-month-old baby is?

[Click on the images for a bigger view]

Here are some more

And more

Not yet? Let me bring in some colour.

Okay, a cricket bat (If that helps).

This one should remove all doubts (The title of the post is also a big clue).

Here’s he with his mother

And with his father

Those who are still lost, let me add to the confusion. Here’s he (sixth from the left standing) with his hockey teammates.

I think that’s enough. Rahul Sharad Dravid has grown up a lot, and has always been the quiet type (as the photos reveal) since his childhood. Always strived to reach for the heights (see third photo from the top). And he did. He might be at the helm of an underperforming team at the moment, but that doesn’t take any credit away from his ability as a cricketer. He’s been one of my favourites, even though he remains an unexpressive gentleman in the towers of triumph or the depths of defeat.

Many years ago, a cousin of mine came visiting. He was just over a year old and armed with a bladder that went off precisely at the time when there wasn’t any diaper to guard the cushions against his wet assault. He was just beginning to talk, and I never heard him say ‘Maa’ or ‘Baba,’ as kids usually do. His tongue had a distinct liking for the name, “Daa-bid” and he jumped with excitement every time Rahul Dravid was visible on the television screen. Haven’t met him ever since. Putting this post together reminded me of him and his infantile Dravid attraction. To you, perhaps the youngest ever Dravid fan.

More bricks from the wall:

With classmates

Athletic ability: School sports day

With brother Vijay

During his and his brother’s thread ceremony

Jammy with Sunny: With Sunil Gavaskar

With fellow House Captains at St. Joseph’s Boys High School, Bangalore

South Zone Under 15 Cricket team (December 1986, Cuttack)

Trophies galore

On the field

And off it (with the gear intact)

With family

With friends

With a python (it looks like one)

And as a Chinese

There were more photographs in that forgotten folder. But that’s what you usually see in the papers whenever India is donning the blues to play in the greens.