Rahul Dravid, the synonym of humble, modest and classy, mentored the now defunct Rajasthan Royals last season and then went on to become the coach for India Under-19. He has been extremely successful in creating a healthy environment for the youngsters and is currently the head coach of Delhi Daredevils – who missed the playoff spot by just a whisker.
Being an absolute gentleman and a lifelong servant of cricket, Dravid didn’t confine himself to the team he mentored; he crossed the lines of dressing rooms to help the less fortunate ones when he thought they needed it. He has earned huge praises from the players all across the world, his teammates and from the players he has coached so far.
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While BBCI is looking for a head coach, if the former Indian captain takes on the job it would be an absolute blessing for Indian cricket. Dravid has closely worked with the upcoming youngsters as well as the present Indian team members.
We take a look at how the road for one of India’s greatest Test batsman as a coach has been, and what people around him feel about it.
#1 “I don’t think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him” – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting, the three-time World Cup winner and mentor of Mumbai Indians, feels that Rahul Dravid is the most suitable candidate for the post of the Indian coach and has got everything that it takes to perform the duty.
“It’s not my decision to make and it depends on what BCCI are looking for. Do they want an Indian coach or an overseas one? I don’t think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him. If he’s interested in doing the job, he will do a good job,” said Ponting.
“He’s got a lot of knowledge, is very experienced and understands all three formats because he has worked in IPL. He will be a great candidate but it depends on what the BCCI thinks is the best fit for the Indian cricket team and also depends on what the captain wants. Whatever Virat (Kohli) wants around the Test team, I am sure the BCCI will listen to him.”
#2 “My honest advice to BCCI is that in case they are looking for a change there is no one better than Rahul Dravid" – Sunil Gavaskar
Former Indian captain and one of the greatest Test players of all time, Sunil Gavaskar remarked, “I have been saying that for long. Every player needs a cooling period (after retirement) and it seems Rahul Dravid has served his cooling period. My honest advice to BCCI is that in case they are looking for a change there is no one better than Rahul Dravid."
The batting legend feels that the U19 India and Delhi Daredevils coach is the right person for the job, and he also recommended Dravid’s name after Duncan Fletcher’s contract came to an end.
#3 “He told our boys to take pride in the fact that they have qualified for this event after playing for just five months” – Mamik Luthra (Canada all-rounder)
During the U19 World Cup earlier this year, when Canada faced a humiliating loss against a much stronger Indian side, Dravid interacted with the Canada players to motivate them.
Mamik Luthra, the Canada bowling all-rounder, shared his experience with the U19 Indian coach by saying, “He said ‘don’t get disheartened by any means’ and explained that his boys played cricket outdoors, that they trained all the time and that they didn’t do any other thing apart from cricket and because of all that, his boys were more match-fit, and that they were accustomed to pressures of a match.”
Canada's Mike Sharma added, "He said the Indian boys play all round the year. That's why they are better. He told our boys to take pride in the fact that they have qualified for this event after playing for just five months.”
#4 “Having him around has been invaluable for me” – Chris Morris
Chris morris, who went for a whopping 7 crore during the auction, did not disappoint his franchise with his performances. The South African talked about his stint under Paddy Upton and Rahul Dravid and said, “Having them around has been invaluable for me. Especially their outlook on cricket. For me, the nicest thing is that what I like about them is that I am not just growing as a cricketer, I am also growing as a person.”
He further added, “You can learn so much from people off the field, you know, which is outstanding for me. If I can be just one percent better, if there is just something that I can learn that makes me even one percent better, then I've used this (stint) well.”
The South African is now looking forward to using his experience as he returns. He is thankful for the Indian legend and emphasised on how he allows people to be themselves and does not interfere a lot.
#5 “His presence gives us the confidence to go out and play freely" – Quinton de Kock
Another South African and talented opener, Quinton de Kock, also shared his experience with 'The Wall' and said, "It has been nice to have Rahul around in the team, especially with a young team here. He has guided us a lot and helped us along the way. It is so nice to have a mentor like that. It gives us the confidence to go out and play freely."
QDK made a swash bucking century for the Delhi Daredevils this season and credited the Indian gentleman for his support and guidance. He also mentioned how he keeps things in the dressing room simple and that he does not push anyone or put extra pressure.
#6 "He said that we should have rotated the strike better” – Aarif Sheikh
Canada was not the only team which got a surprise visit from the Indian great. When U19 India chased down Nepal’s 170 runs target within 18.1 overs, Dravid took time from his busy schedule to pay a visit to their team.
Nepal all-rounder Aarif Sheikh, who was very surprised by Dravid's gesture, talked about what the classy right-hander explained to his boys about the game. "He said that we should have rotated the strike better. Against a good team, 160 or 170 is not a good score. If it was 220 or 225, then they (India) wouldn't have played like this. The way they attacked in the first 10 overs, they wouldn't have done that," he said.
#7 "He is very, very calm. He doesn't lose his temper” – Ishan Kishan
The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman and the person who worked very closely with the man himself for over three months, Ishan Kishan, was high on praises for Dravid. He said, "Dravid is such a humble person. It was very nice to work with him. He made sure he appreciated us whenever we performed well. He comes to us individually, he helped us learn a lot."
India’s U19 captain also said he had never seen Dravid lose his temper with the young boys in the U-19 team. "He is very, very calm. He doesn't lose his temper. Even if we make mistakes, he just lets us know them and makes us aware of our negatives."
Ishan and Dravid had a winning streak of 13 matches before they eventually lost to West Indies in the U19 World Cup finals.
#8 “Rahul Sir has helped me bring discipline into my game” – Rishabh Pant
Another future prospect for the Indian team, Rishabh Pant talked about how the classy former Indian opener helped him with his game during the four months that he was his coach. “Rahul Sir has helped me bring discipline into my game, he has taught me to focus on the process all the time.”
Pant also shared how Dravid reacted when the Indian team failed to win the U19 World Cup.
"After the match, Rahul Sir told us this is a lesson. ‘You guys have to learn from it. But I am proud of what you all have achieved’. He also told me – ‘You are my champion'. It does not matter to me if we win or lose, for me, it is playing till the end," he said.
#9 “There is no doubt that he will do an incredible job” – Shane Watson
Shane Watson, the former Australia all-rounder who has played alongside Dravid for the now-defunct Rajasthan Royals, revealed that he learnt a lot from the 43-year-old legend.
The 34-year-old all-rounder has backed the Indian legend to do an 'incredible job' if he goes on to become India's head coach.
"I was very fortunate to know him well while working with him at Rajasthan Royals (first as the captain) and (later as the) mentor and then learning about his cricketing abilities. There is no doubt that he will do an incredible job if he gets the chance to coach India,” he remarked.
#10 “It will be a marriage made in heaven” – Harsha Bhogle
India’s most familiar and loved voice, Harsha Bhogle, tweeted his reaction when the chances of Dravid to become the coach emerged.
The 54-year-old has always been in awe of what the Indian right-hander used to do on the field and feels he is the perfect choice for India’s future coach.
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