Did you know that famous cricketer Rahul Dravid once played for a European country? Find out why!

When we hear the name Rahul Dravid, we immediately think of one of India's most celebrated cricket players - a dependable batsman who has stood strong through some of the most unforgettable moments in the sport. However, there is a lesser-known and rather surprising chapter in Dravid's illustrious career, where he donned the Scottish colors and played for their national team.

To answer the question, Rahul Dravid played for Scotland in the year 2003, right after the conclusion of the ICC World Cup. It was a memorable World Cup, with Australia defeating India in the final. Dravid, who is famously known as "The Wall," had an impressive performance in previous World Cups, particularly in 1999 where he was the top scorer for India with 461 runs in just 8 matches, averaging at 65.86. However, he narrowly missed out on the Player of the Tournament award to Lance Klusener, who had a remarkable all-around performance. In the 2003 World Cup, Dravid once again played a crucial role for India, scoring 318 runs in 11 matches with an impressive average of 63.60. Despite his contributions, India fell short in the final against Australia.

After the World Cup, several senior Indian players were given a break from international cricket. At the same time, Scotland had been promoted to the Second Division of the National Cricket League for a trial period of three years. To strengthen their team, the Scottish Cricket Union was searching for an experienced international cricketer. Gwynne Jones, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Cricket Union, reached out to John Wright, who was the coach of the Indian team at the time. They wanted someone who could boost the team's confidence and set high standards in the dressing room. Initially, Jones had his sights set on the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, but Wright suggested Rahul Dravid instead.

Dravid was approached with the offer and eventually signed a three-month contract worth £45,000 with the Scottish team. This was also the time when Dravid had just gotten married to his wife Vijeta, who accompanied him on the tour to Scotland. During his brief stint, Dravid played 11 out of the 12 games for Scotland in the National League. He had an outstanding performance, scoring a total of 600 runs with an average of 66.66, making him the top scorer for the team. Despite his individual success, Scotland only managed to win one out of the twelve matches.

In conclusion, while Rahul Dravid may be synonymous with Indian cricket, he did have a brief but remarkable stint with the Scottish national team. It was a unique and surprising chapter in his career, showcasing his talent and adaptability as a player.

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