He is the fourth-highest run scorer in Test cricket, scoring 13,288 runs, being beaten only by Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis. He also scored 10,889 runs in One Day Internationals.

As a player, he had immense powers of concentration. At Adelaide in 2003, when India won a Test in Australia for the first time in a generation, he batted 835 minutes over two innings. A few months later, he was at the crease more than 12 hours for the 270 that clinched India's first series win in Pakistan.

During his time as captain, he led India to Test series victories in England and the West Indies for the first time in a generation. An occasional wicket-keeper, he is the most successful slip catcher in history.

A classic Test match batsman who was comfortable occupying the crease for as long as necessary, Dravid became the cement that held the foundations firm while the flair players expressed themselves. For his dogged ability to defend, he was known as ‘The Wall’. Yet, for a man quickly stereotyped as one-paced and one-dimensional, he too could stroke the ball around when appropriate.

Born in a Marathi family, he started playing cricket at the age of 12 and later represented the state team at the under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels. He was named one of the best five cricketers of the year by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack in 2000 and received the Player of the Year and the Test Player of the Year awards at the inaugural ICC awards ceremony in 2004.

Dravid retired from international cricket in March 2012, but continued to play for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League for another year. He is now the team’s mentor and works on youth and talent initiatives.