QUICK FACTS NAME: Rahul Dravid OCCUPATION: Cricketer BIRTH DATE: January 11, 1973 PLACE OF BIRTH: Indore Rahul Sharad Dravid, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has established himself as an integral part of the team with his technical proficiency, stylish strokes and sheer stability.  Rahul was born on January 11, 1973 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to parents Sharad Dravid and Pushpa. He started to play cricket at the age of 12. Dravid did well in the junior tournaments to merit selection in the State under-15, under-17 and under-19 tournaments. Meanwhile he finished his bachelors from St. Joseph's College of Commerce.   He made his debut in the Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra at Pune in 1990-91. He was the youngest Karnataka player to score a maiden century in Ranji. In 1995-96 he broke into the international team. He made his debut in One Day Internationals against Sri Lanka at Singapore in 1996. He is one player who has always shown stability and concentration and delivered solid performances in all the games that he played.

Dravid was the highest scorer in the 1999 World Cup, when he along with Sourav Ganguly created a new World record for the highest partnership of 318 runs for any wicket. His abilities are not confined to batting alone. He bowls right-arm off breaks and was a good reserve wicket keeper of Indian team.

Rahul keeps his cool even in a crisis and thus is a reliable anchor for the Indian team. Since he started playing he has maintained a Test career average of over 50. Technically his batting is flawless and he has improved with experience especially in Test Cricket. He is, at present, ranked the 7th best Test batsmen by the ICC in world cricket and has the highest Test batting average of any Indian batsman in history.

Dravid has been honoured with the Arjuna Award by the President of India. He was the 12th Indian to be named one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year for the year 2000 after his splendid performance in the 1999 World Cup in England. He became the 6th player in history and the 3rd Indian to score 10,000 runs in the ODI cricket.

Rahul Sharad Dravid, is married to Vijetha Pendharkar, a Nagpur-based doctor.