Born on January 11 in 1973, Indian cricketing icon Rahul Dravid is no less than a treasure to the nation. The legendary batsman and former captain celebrated his 46th birthday. Hailed as The Wall for his steely determination and composure during playing days, Dravid remains the biggest ambassador of the Gentleman's Game.

Apart from being a class batsman and leader, the Bangalore-born is a wonderful person to learn a lot from – be it in sports or life. Former Aussie speedster, Brett Lee famously once said, “If you can't get along with Dravid, you're struggling in life,” and he could not be more right. In fact, Rahul Dravid’s golden words of advice are enough to shape up the lives of many. He is the kind of role model a growing child needs.

Rahul is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the cricketing world. The only Indian to have hit centuries in four consecutive Test matches. There is something magical about Dravid, which makes him a huge hit among fans and fellow cricketers. From giving the best performances on the cricket field to being a down-to-earth, Rahul has grabbed a place in the hearts.

India’s celebrated cricketer is a gem of a person and master of words. Here’s a list of inspirational quotes from Mr Dependable, who has been a charmer, both on and off the field. Ever reliable man is also known for his quotes that inspire us truly.

1. I have failed at times, but I have never stopped trying.

2. I think we judge talent wrong. What do we see as talent? I think I have made the same mistake myself. We judge talent by people's ability to strike a cricket ball. The sweetness, the timing. That's the only thing we see as talent. Things like determination, courage, discipline, temperament, these are also talent.

3. You don’t play for revenge, you play for respect and pride.

4. Even if my grand-children don’t remember the fact that I scored 10,000 runs in test and ODI cricket, I am confident that they will remember that Sachin Tendulkar used to be my team-mate.

5. You don’t win or lose games because of 11 you select. You win or lose with what those 11 do on the field.

6. No dream is ever chased alone.

7. Unwanted honking not only irritates others, but may also end up causing accidents. Drivers lose cool and it may result in road rage.

8. I think credibility, irrespective of what you do, if you are in public life, then it is important.

Dravid’s love for simplicity and humbleness is reflected in most regular instances, such as when he chose to wait in a queue at a science exhibition with his kids than use celebrity status to gain quicker access. Or, when he spoke to a cancer-stricken fan for an hour via Skype and apologised for not meeting in person. His kindness towards people makes him an outstanding personality altogether.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2018 07:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).