Dravid Declines Doctorate

Rahul Dravid, a former skipper Indian cricket team and a respected legend of the sport recently turned down an Honorary Doctorate offered to him by Bangalore University, saying he would prefer to earn it based on his academic proficiency and research in the field of sports. He did make sure to thank the University officials for acknowledging his contribution to the sport and shortlisting him for an honorary doctorate. The conferring was scheduled for Jan 27, 2017, at the 52nd annual convocation of Bangalore University.

He retired from international cricket following India’s tour of Australia in 2011-12 and is considered as the third most capped player in Test cricket having played 164 matches. Mr. Dravid was last seen in action at the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), and also with the India Under-19 team, which won the last edition of the Asia Cup 2016.

Following is a list of his achievements and awards earned over his 16-year long cricket career:
• 1998: Arjuna Award[1]
• 1999: CEAT International Cricketer of the World Cup[2]
• 2000: Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2000[3]
• 2004: Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy Winner (Awarded for ICC Player of the Year)[4]
• 2004: Padma Shri[5]
• 2004: ICC Test Player of The Year, ICC Cricketer of The Year [4] MTV Youth Icon of the Year for 2004
• 2006: Captain of the ICC’s Test Team[6]
• 2011: NDTV Indian of the Year’s Lifetime Achievement Award with Dev Anand[7]
• 2012: Don Bradman Award with Glenn McGrath[8]
• 2013: Padma Bhushan
• 2015: Wisden India’s Highest Impact Test Batsman[9]

Notably, Dravid did not attend the Gulbarga University’s 32nd convocation in 2014, though he was among 12 personalities shortlisted for an honorary doctorate.