Rahul Dravid speaks about the two-way experience of coaching India 'A'

Rahul Dravid with Australian batting coach Justing Langer in 2011

Rahul Dravid has enjoyed his time as coach of India ‘A’, his wards having garnered a lot of recent success in the one-day game. The second-string Indian side, which the former India batsman has been coaching for a few months, has triumphed over Australia A, South Africa A and Bangladesh A in recent times, but capitulated in the longer games against the Australian side.

Dravid talked about how the experience has been of coaching the team, saying that his job mostly consisted of interacting with the players and sharing experiences with them. He also talked of the experience as a two-way learning process, according to Times of India.

"Coaching at the India A level is not about teaching technique. They don't reach this level without having basic technique, skill and ability. Talking to them, sharing some of the experiences and sharing some knowledge is what matters.

"There is a lot to learn for me as well. I'm inexperienced as a coach, I'm learning every day. It's been a great experience working with a lot of the younger players. I'm benefiting as much as they are."

Great opportunities for youngsters to play with Raina, Dhawan: Dravid

Rahul Dravid’s appointment as coach has also coincided with several senior players turning out for the ‘A’ side to get match practice. Virat Kohli featured in an India A match ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, and the ongoing Bangladesh A series features Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan.

Dravid said that the admixture of seniors and juniors in the team is very helpful to both sets of players, and that this is a process he has laid great store by in the past.

“I speak about the value and the opportunity for a lot of younger players to play with the likes of a Suresh Raina or a Shikhar Dhawan. It's a great opportunity to pick their brains, even if it's in an informal setting.

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