“Playing with Aldrin and Somesh Made Me Realise I’d Be Better Off Playing Cricket”: Rahul Dravid Reflects on His SJCC Journey

Bengaluru, July 25, 2026: St. Joseph's College of Commerce (SJCC), Bengaluru, marked the Diamond Jubilee of its Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) programme on 24 July 2026, celebrating 75 years of academic excellence with a memorable event featuring distinguished alumnus Rahul Dravid, former captain and head coach of the Indian cricket team.

SJCC Celebrates 75 Years of its B.Com. Programme

The celebrations began with Dravid inaugurating the Inter-Collegiate 5-a-Side Hockey Tournament before unveiling the official Diamond Jubilee logo, symbolising the institution's rich legacy in commerce education and holistic student development.

Rahul Dravid Looks Back at His College Days

Addressing students, alumni and faculty, Dravid (SJCC batch of 1994) fondly recalled his years at SJCC and reflected on the formative role the institution played in shaping his life.

Speaking with characteristic humility, he joked that playing alongside accomplished hockey players such as Anil Alexander Aldrin and Sandeep Somesh convinced him that cricket was the better career option. "Playing with Aldrin and Somesh made me realise I would be better off playing cricket," he remarked, drawing laughter from the audience.

Beyond the humour, Dravid encouraged students to fully embrace college life by making use of the opportunities available to them, both inside and outside the classroom. He urged them to pursue excellence with dedication, resilience and integrity, while reminding them that sport teaches valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the playing field.

A Legacy of Excellence in Education and Sport

The event was attended by Fr. Daniel Fernandes, Rector of the Bangalore Jesuit Educational Society (BJES), Fr. Charles Lasrado, Principal of SJCC , Nischitha K, HOD Of Commerce along with members of the management, faculty, students, alumni and invited guests.

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The Diamond Jubilee celebrations reaffirmed SJCC's longstanding commitment to academic excellence, character formation and leadership development. Over the past seven decades, the college has produced graduates who have excelled across business, public service, sport and numerous other professions.

The celebration also highlighted the institution's remarkable contribution to Indian hockey. Organised by the SJCC Old Students Association in collaboration with Yes for Hockey!, the two-day hockey tournament formed a key part of the anniversary celebrations.

Honouring a Proud Sporting Tradition

SJCC has earned a distinguished reputation for nurturing some of India's finest hockey players. Its alumni include Ashish Ballal, Arjuna Award recipient and 1998 Asian Games gold medallist; former Indian captain Anil Alexander Aldrin; Sandeep Somesh, former national women's coach; Olympians S. K. Uthappa and Nikkin Thimmaiah, among several other international players.

The Colgate Total Inter-Collegiate Platinum Rolling Trophy 2026 featured 12 boys' teams and five girls' teams from colleges across Karnataka. For the first time in collegiate hockey, participating teams also received appearance money in addition to prize money, reflecting the organisers' commitment to promoting the sport at the grassroots level.

As SJCC celebrates 75 years of its B.Com. programme, the institution continues to uphold the Jesuit tradition of forming competent, compassionate and socially responsible leaders. The Diamond Jubilee served not only as a celebration of past achievements but also as an inspiration for future generations to strive for excellence in academics, sport and service to society.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

Picture Courtesy : SJCC Youtube Page