Bengaluru: Former India captain Rahul Dravid has said the iconic Bangalore United Cricket Club (BUCC) is one of the primary reasons for his stellar success at the international level. 

“BUCC laid the foundation for my success at the international level. I started my career at the club as a 10-year-old, playing the fifth division league,” Dravid said.

'The Wall' was speaking at an event at the Karnataka Golf Association on Friday to celebrate the completion of 100 years of the club. Dravid, who is now the honorary president of the BUCC, said it was a “special day” for him to be part of the club's centenary celebrations.

The former India skipper recalled how he joined the BUCC as 10-year-old and was taught the basics of cricket by the late Keki Tarapore.

The BUCC is the first club in Karnataka to complete 100 years. Just like Dravid, there are several other cricketers who had started their careers off at the club and went on to represent India.

Some of the big names to have played for the BUCC are Syed Kirmani, Roger Binny, Sadanand Vishwanth, Dodda Ganesh, Raghuram Bhat, Stuart Binny and the current India opening batsman KL Rahul.

Dravid advised youngsters to focus on Test cricket which poses the ultimate challenge to any player.

“I always tell young players that the greatest satisfaction you will get is by playing a Test match. I tell the youth if you want to be challenged up to your limits, then you should play a Test match, but you can play other forms as well. I love T20s and other forms of the game as well. People like Virat Kohli is a great lesson and great example; he has shown that you can succeed in all the forms of the game. Virat is successful in T20s, one-dayers and Tests. It can be done, it is not easy, but that should be your goal,” he said.

Dravid recalled how Tarapore taught him not only about the game but how to be disciplined. He added that he was privileged to play alongside 1983 World Cup winners Binny and Kirmani at the club.

“As a 10th standard school boy, I had the privilege of playing under Roger Binny’s captaincy. Playing for the club was an incredible boost for my career. I will be forever grateful to the club. I remember, Kirmani would play club matches with all seriousness even after playing 88 Tests for India,” he said.

Dravid, who is now the coach of India A and Under-19 teams, revealed how “frightful” it was to travel on a two-wheeler with wicketkeeper Vishwanath. In those days, he said there was no junior-senior divide and he used to get a ride from Vishwanath.

“As a 15-year-old, I used to travel with Sadanand Vishwanth on his two-wheeler. But I must say that it was a frightening experience,” he said.

As part of the centenary celebrations, the BUCC will host a Golf Day on March 22, 2019, with some of the international cricketers in action. It is a fundraising event and the proceeds will be utilised by the club to elevate its facilities.