Cricket

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricket team coach, has taken on a new role as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ahead of the upcoming IPL auction, Dravid participated in the Girls Cup organized by the franchise, showcasing his batting skills and inspiring young players.Dravid's involvement in the Girls Cup was a testament to his commitment to fostering cricket at all levels. He spent considerable time at the crease, facing deliveries from young girls and even applauding their efforts. A video of Dravid's gesture was widely shared on social media, highlighting his humility and support for aspiring cricketers.In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Dravid has been actively involved in the Rajasthan Royals' retention strategy for the IPL 2025 season. He revealed that captain Sanju Samson played a key role in the decision-making process."We have decided to do six out of six retentions. We will retain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma," Dravid said. "We came to this decision because we trust our talent. We also trust that we want to maintain and build with that core."Dravid emphasized Samson's importance to the team, stating that he was an automatic choice for retention as captain and wicketkeeper-batter. "Sanju Samson is our batsman, wicketkeeper, and captain. He has been the captain of this team for many years. So, it was a no-brainer for us to retain him as he will be our captain in the future too," Dravid explained.With Dravid's guidance and Samson's leadership, the Rajasthan Royals aim to build a strong team for the upcoming IPL season. Their focus on retaining core players and fostering young talent bodes well for their future success.