Rahul Dravid to help young cricketers in their journey

Rahul Dravid has always been interested in working with young players

Former India team captain Rahul Dravid thinks it is really exciting to coach India ‘A’ and Under-19 because it has been an area he has always been interested in. He feels that it is a very important stage of development for a lot of cricketers and he hopes to add help with his experience.

Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur confirmed yesterday that Dravid has agreed in principles to become the coach of the India Under-19 and A teams.

“The India A and Under-19 levels are really important stages, with its challenges and pressure. Having been through it myself, I hope I will be able to help the young players in their journeys,” said Dravid as quoted by Wisden India.

“It is important to work with young players, figure out what they are doing and what they need.”

Dravid added saying that he prefers working with younger players more than the senior team because they need more attention in the early stages of their career.

“I see the India A and Under-19 as a bunch of players with a lot of talent. And it is also about moving up to the next level, filling up places in the senior team."

The veteran who has represented team India in 164 Tests and 344 ODIs, will be in contact with senior team director Ravi Shastri and other staffs to understand the needs of young cricketers.

“I will be talking to Ravi (Shastri) and the senior staff and the national selectors, figuring out what they see as the challenges that the Indian team faces and see if we can help groom the kind of cricketers they are looking for.”

It was advisory committee's decision along with the BCCI's members to appoint Dravid for the challenging job.