Rahul Dravid Is Silently Shaping The Future Of Indian Cricket, One Player At A Time.

He played at the position he was assigned by the team, he played the role given by the team and now he is making sure that the India’s cricketing future turns out bright. He is the guardian angel of Indian cricket, he is none other than Rahul Dravid.

While other players of his time (and stature) are busy touring the world as high-paid commentators and analysts, here is how Rahul Dravid is silently shaping the future of Indian cricket.

When he was offered the high paying job of the coach of the Indian Cricket team, Rahul Dravid graciously turned down the post and asked to work with the young teams (India U-19 and India A) instead.

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Under his guidance, India’s U-19 team reached the finals of the World Cup and won the Asia Cup in 2016. Giving all credit for the team’s success to ‘The Wall’, Indian skipper Abhishek Sharma said,

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“Rahul sir was rightly called the ‘Wall’. He has a tremendous cricketing brain. His pat after the final was a gift. He doesn’t express much. Later, he told me to enjoy the victory as it was such a big moment for all of us. His contribution has been immense in moulding this U-19 unit.”

 

And it is not just about winning trophies, learning the tricks of the trade from the best has made players like Rishab Pant and Sarfaraz Khan shine at the highest levels. 

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Aside from being the coach of the junior sides, Rahul Dravid has also served as the mentor of IPL teams ‘Rajasthan Royals’ and ‘Delhi Daredevils’. While other teams spent crores on famous foreign players, Dravid always ensured that young Indian players get ample opportunities.

 

And his hard work is paying off. After scoring a blistering hundred against the ‘Rising Pune Supergiant’, this is what young Sanju Samson had to say about him.

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“I was 17 when I was with the Rajasthan Royals and since then I have been working with him and feel very blessed to be learning under his guidance. Not too many people get this chance and I feel I am extremely lucky to have him around and guide me.”

 

Sanju Samson, Rishab Pant, Karun Nair, Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Ishan Kishan, these are a few names that have been mentored by Dravid in the recent past and have already made their presence felt among the big guns. It won’t be a surprise if many (if not all) of these become regulars in the Indian team in the near future.

As long as Rahul Dravid is there with these young boys, it is safe to say that India’s cricketing future is secure.

Sources: 1,2

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