There’s nothing veiled or in any form of guise with Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the men’s team of India. There never was in the first place during Rahul Dravid’s playing days as India’s famous batsman who came out at three.
There’ll never be a need to read too much between the lines where it concerns the man described famously as The Wall or Mr Dependable. Not that kind of man. But as coach and that too, of a unit that has many star players, expect Rahul Dravid to treat them all, first and foremost- as equals.
The same treatment then shall be meted out to all, whether Virat Kohli or his deputy in Test and ODI cricket, Rohit Sharma. All will be treated just and fair and as one, whether it is the famous timber crusher of batters called Jasprit Bumrah or India’s most trusted and still, largely undersung Test bowler, Mohammed Shami.
Rahul Dravid is, unless you are living in some parallel universe to the earth, one for all and all for one!
And in wasting no time whatsoever of giving an idea of exactly the above, Rahul Dravid did something interesting, something that beckons one’s attention right ahead of India’s impending bi-lateral series against the T20 world cup finalists, New Zealand.
So the question is – what was it and what about the Bangalore-born coach’s recent actions has impressed all?
Soon after knowing that the Indian players were feeling really exhausted or fatigued, regardless of what might one say at the 2021 T20 world cup, Dravid reached out to them.
All of them and individually so.
He spoke to each individual who’s been a part of the T20 world cup campaign, unsuccessful or rather forgettable that it may have been and went immediately to the crux of the issue.
And how’s that? Curious, instead of being indifferent or dispassionate, about each player’s mental condition and level of fatigue, Dravid assured them with positive words and immediately told many to take rest, wherever necessary or if possible.
So this leads to a question. Does the fact that many key players in the squad who won’t be seen playing against New Zealand, think Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and others have been rested because of Dravid’s inputs as coach?
Could be. In fact, could very likely be!
Having said that, what Rahul Dravid did next was indeed commendable. To any person who plays in India or is about to play for the country, one thing above all is most important.
And it’s assurance. A certain kind of assurance; whether or not he or she will be playing for the country.
Rahul Dravid provided the healing balm like embrace to all those players whom he advised to take rest, if possible. In fact, he assured them of a place in the Indian team and that’s irrespective of whether or not a youngster performs well or not.
By doing this, Dravid has made acceptance in the team and a sense of belongingness key value systems of a team that’s often seen as being heartlessly competitive and bitterly aggressive.
Is the Dravid magic working already? Well, the show – not show off- has only just begun.