Those who have been watching his on-field performances over the past year talk of his temperament, his technical competence, his on-driving (which ranks with that of Mark Waugh as the very best in the business), his willingness to take on the quicks when they try to bounce him, his electric reflexes at short square leg...
But the most noticeable feature of his cricketing persona is his manners - impeccable, whether walking back after a bad decision curtails what looks like a promising innings, or in the face of sledging by the opposition, there is always an air of phlegmatic calm, of composure, very rare in one so young.
Perhaps it is, then, no surprise to learn that his cricketing idol is none other than Gundappa Vishwanath, the Karnataka stylist who, in his time, was the last word in sportsmanship.
Dravid spoke at length to Lokendra Pratap Sahi of The Telegraph newspaper the other day - a free-wheeling interview that touched on matters to do with his career.
And, as he nears what will be a rather long delayed first Test hundred - Dravid, it will be recalled, fell just five runs short of getting a ton on debut at Lord's, against England, last year we present choice quotes from the interview:
Life before England: Last season itself, I had told people that my sights were set on making it to England. The World Cup came before that, but I had no regrets at having missed out on that, it was England that I wanted to go to.
I guess it is because, when you are growing up, you constantly hear about England... about its traditions, its cricketing culture. And then again, it is always challenging playing away from home.
When we set out for England, I knew it was make or break for me. I told my dad that when I returned from England, I would know exactly where I stood in international cricket or, perhaps, have to look at some other career... by doing well abroad, you certainly establish yourself better than by getting tons of runs at home.
95 on debut: I would say that innings is over and done with, it doesn't haunt me at all. To be honest, I wasn't upset when it happened either. But yes, a few days later I did feel that it would have been a unique record, Saurav (Ganguly) had already made a hundred on debut in that game, and if I had got one... Maybe, at the end of my career, it will rank as a disappointment, but for the moment, it is history.
After England: From a personal point of view, the tour of England was a success. I had set out to prove to myself that I could play cricket at the highest level... the tour taught me that at that level, cricket isn't easy. It was a good education and, more importantly, gave me lots of confidence.
On being shunted up and down the batting order: If I consider myself among the top six or seven batsmen in the country, then I must be prepared to bat anywhere. Every team management has its own ideas and, having captained sides myself, I know you can't put every batsman in his preferred slot. There are combinations that will need to be worked out... Hopefully, I will have a long career and, in course of it, a settled batting position. Meanwhile, it is a good experience that, at the start of my career, I am getting an opportunity to bat at different positions.
Weight of expectations: Actually, I don't get affected by what people write. Cricket is a funny game, the same people who praise you to the skies one day will, the next day, find fault with your technique, temperament, whatever... I believe in being positive, in learning all the time, I am in the middle of a long season and hopefully, by the time it ends, I will be a better cricketer and a better person.
On preparing beforehand: I like doing my homework on the bowlers I am going to face. At this level, every bowler is a challenge, and no run comes easy. I haven't faced Akram and Younis yet in a Test match, that will be a big challenge. Meanwhile, Donald is a very special bowler, he is capable of lifting his game within a few deliveries. Actually, I also find Javagal Srinath quite a handful when he bowls in the nets. Luckily, I play in the same state side as he does, so I mostly have to play him only in the nets. Really, Srinath is quite an enigma.
On being Indian cricket's latest pinup: Hey, no, not me... I don't think I am the proud owner of that label. Believe me, there are a lot of guys in the side who are hot property. I am too low key a person to qualify for that label.