Rahul Dravid, who is meticulous about timing, once arrived extremely late for a reading session at a Bengaluru bookshop. But Dravid made himself comfortable in the back row among the other guests and stayed there the whole time without making a scene.

He graciously refused to move up the row as requested by the organizers. David never really wanted the spotlight or the front row. It’s just not his thing.

However, the head coach of India will have to appear in front of the cricket community on Saturday when his team plays South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Bridgetown, Barbados, regardless of the result.

The 51-year-old has already had a taste of it, since the host broadcasters are promoting a social media movement called #DoItForDravid.

But that is the farthest thing from Rahul Dravid that one could imagine.

Although Dravid does not see winning the World Cup as a personal accomplishment, he would undoubtedly extend the credit to the team and to Rohit Sharma’s inspirational leadership.

It was evident from the guy himself, and his wisdom was mirrored in the remarks.

“I simply want to play excellent cricket, and yes, playing for someone else goes completely against my beliefs and who I am as a person.

Thus, I don’t want to debate it or speak about it,” Dravid said.

He reiterated the ethos that he had so carefully adhered to throughout the years with emphasis.

“Do it for somebody” is something I don’t really believe in. I like the remark that says, “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?” from one person to another. “I want to climb Mount Everest because it’s there,” he declares.

“Since the World Cup is here, I want to win it.

It’s only there to win, Dravid said, not for anybody, not for anyone.

Save these lines to your study list for their charming simplicity and altruism.

In case more confirmation is required, this one incidence occurred more than ten years ago.

During India’s 2011 trip to England, Dravid was in incredible form and emerged as the team’s top run scorer even though the visitors collapsed in the Tests.

The Bengaluru player mocked the retirement issue that was looming large over his head, stating that his attention was on the year-end trip to Australia, where he scored a ton of runs.

However, Dravid was eager to deny having any personal reasons for wanting to visit Australia.

“We need an Australian series victory. “In my opinion, I owe it to the team,” he would then state.

He is in his element there.

It was easy for Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and VVS Laxman to focus on their brilliant shot-making knowing that David was there to deflect hits and relieve pressure.

Twelve years later, Dravid finds himself in a similar circumstance, but he is not moaning.

Bricks will be flying in Dravid’s way if India fails to win the World Cup at the Kensington Oval.

Much of the credit will go to Rohit and his wards.

Whether he’s being hounded by ecstatic teammates and supporters or taking a solitary stroll back, you can be sure that Dravid will handle everything coolly.