‘Goud is Railways’ Dravid’

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Yere Goud the batsman was synonymous with solidity, impeccable patience, penchant for copybook shots and above all, an insatiable hunger for runs. On Monday, the former Railways and Karnataka captain called time on a first-class career that had chugged along for 18 long seasons.

Reading out a release in his own inimitable soft tone, the 41-year-old Goud thanked his supporters -friends, coaches and family members alike -before adding that he would take up umpiring and coaching henceforth.

When former India skipper and KSCA president Anil Kumble presented Goud with a Karnataka cap as a farewell token, it probably was a déjà vu moment for the retiring cricketer for it was the genial leggie who handed him his maiden Ranji cap way back in the 1995-96 season, against Hyderabad in Bijapur.

Goud played just three matches for Karnataka in that season before he opted to play for his employers Railways, only to come back for a two-year stint with his home state in 2006 as captain of the side.

Karnataka's loss was Railways' gain as the prolific right-handed batsman represented the institutional team in 102 matches in career spanning 134 matches until the last season while being involved in two Ranji triumphs in the Millennium and topping it with two Irani Trophy wins with the team.

Interestingly, his last Ranji ton came against Karnataka in Bengaluru four years ago.

KSCA secretary Javagal Srinath was spot-on when he stated that “Goud was the Rahul Dravid of Railways“.

Kumble paid glittering tribute to the Raichur-born Goud. “It's never easy to emerge from a mofussil place and Yere excelled in what he did. He was a complete cricketer,” said Kumble, while adding that KSCA would be expecting his services, particularly towards development of cricket in his native zone.

Knowing Goud: First Class record: Matches: 134, Runs: 7650, Avg: 45.43, 100s: 16, HS: 221 not out List `A' record: Matches: 49, Runs: 1051, Avg: 37.53, HS: 85 not out.
Captained Karnataka in 12 Ranji matches and Railways on five occasions.
Was named Indian Player of the year in 2001.