Cricket

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and current head coach of the national team, has hailed the remarkable transformation of Indian cricket into a formidable force, attributing it to the burgeoning talent pool that now spans the entire country.Dravid, who guided India to a historic T20 World Cup triumph in 2023, emphasized the pivotal role of a robust club cricket culture in breaking the traditional dominance of city-based players in the national team. "Indian cricket today is incredibly strong and powerful," Dravid declared during the 50th anniversary celebration of Mount Joy Cricket Club. "One of the key reasons for this is that talent is emerging from every corner of the country."In the past, Dravid noted, the majority of talented cricketers hailed from major cities or a select few states. However, today, boys from even the most remote areas are making their mark on the national stage. This shift is evident in the elevated standards of domestic cricket in India, particularly in the Ranji Trophy."In the past, you could take certain teams in the South Zone for granted," Dravid said. "But today, there is no team that you can walk into and expect an easy victory."Dravid lauded the club cricket structure in India, especially in Karnataka, for fostering accessibility to the sport for all. "We need strong clubs to ensure that cricket is not concentrated in the hands of a few," he stressed. "It must be egalitarian and available everywhere."To maximize the potential of young talent, Dravid emphasized the importance of providing access to quality infrastructure in every part of the country. He recalled his own club career at HAL, where he would eagerly stay back after practice to listen to the wisdom of senior players like BK Kumar and Nandan."Those conversations were invaluable for my growth as a cricketer," Dravid said. "We need to create similar opportunities for young players today."

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a multi-year term. This marks Dravid's return to the IPL after a three-year hiatus, during which he served as the head coach of the Indian men's team and guided them to their first ICC title in 11 years.Dravid expressed his excitement about joining RR, a franchise he has a long-standing connection with. He captained the team in 2012 and 2013, and served as their team mentor in 2014 and 2015. "I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called 'home' for a number of years in the past," Dravid said. "After the World Cup, I feel it's the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that."Dravid's appointment is a significant boost for RR, who have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008. Their best finish since then was in 2022, when they finished runners-up to Gujarat Titans. RR CEO Jake Lush McCrum expressed his delight at Dravid's return to the franchise. "His exceptional coaching capabilities are evident with the transformation he's driven in Indian cricket," McCrum said. "He also has a deep connection to the franchise, and we've seen that passion come through in all our conversations."Dravid will work closely with RR's director of cricket, Kumar Sangakkara, to implement the franchise's overall cricketing strategy. He will also play a key role in player retention and recruitment ahead of the upcoming mega auction. Dravid's long-standing working relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid's watch, is expected to be a major asset for the team.With Dravid at the helm, RR will be hoping to challenge for their second IPL title. His experience, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire players will be invaluable to the team as they look to build a strong and successful squad.

Rahul Dravid Returns to Rajasthan Royals as Head CoachFormer Indian captain and coach Rahul Dravid has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Rajasthan Royals for a multi-year contract. Dravid, who previously spent five seasons with the Royals from 2011 to 2015, will begin his tenure immediately.Dravid's return to the Royals marks a significant moment for the franchise. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having coached the Indian men's U19 and senior teams, as well as serving as the Director of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).Under Dravid's guidance, the Indian team recently clinched the ICC Men's T20 World Cup crown. His ability to nurture talent and enable players to perform consistently at the highest level is highly valued by the Royals."I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called 'home' for a number of years in the past," said Dravid. "After the World Cup, I feel it's the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that."Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara expressed his excitement about Dravid's appointment. "Rahul is one of the greatest players to have played the game, but what he has achieved over the past decade as a coach is extraordinary," said Sangakkara. "His characteristics as a coach will allow the Rajasthan Royals to further challenge for the title."Dravid will work closely with Sangakkara to implement the franchise's cricketing strategy. The duo will aim to build a strong and competitive team that can challenge for the IPL title.

India's Transformation from "Tigers at Home, Lambs Abroad" to Global ConquerorsIn the late 1990s, the Indian cricket team was known for its formidable home record but struggled to perform overseas. However, the appointment of Sourav Ganguly as captain in 2000 marked a turning point.Under Ganguly's leadership, India's batting unit, known as the "Fab Five," emerged as a dominant force. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Ganguly, and Virender Sehwag formed a formidable lineup that could challenge any bowling attack.By 2002, when India toured England for a four-match Test series, the team had undergone a significant transformation. Dravid had become a rock-solid anchor, Tendulkar's batting had matured, Laxman had established himself as a match-winner, Ganguly was a fearless leader, and Sehwag had proven his explosive potential.In the second Test at Nottingham, India faced a daunting task after losing the first Test at Lord's. However, the Dravid-Tendulkar-Ganguly trio came to the rescue. Dravid scored a gritty 115, while Tendulkar and Ganguly fell just short of centuries with scores of 92 and 99, respectively.The third Test at Headingley, Leeds, witnessed a historic moment. Batting first, India piled up a mammoth 628/8, their highest team total at the venue. Dravid laid the foundation with a patient 148, adding 170 runs with Sanjay Bangar and 150 with Tendulkar.Tendulkar and Ganguly then unleashed a batting masterclass, smashing three sixes each and hitting 19 and 14 fours, respectively. Their partnership of 335 runs for the fourth wicket was a testament to their dominance. Tendulkar fell for 193, while Ganguly was dismissed for 128, but their contributions had set the stage for an emphatic victory.India's spinners, led by Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, then took over, bowling England out for 234 and 204 to secure a memorable innings and 46-run victory.This triumph at Headingley was a watershed moment for Indian cricket. It marked the team's emergence as a global force, capable of winning anywhere in the world. The "Tigers at home, lambs abroad" tag was a thing of the past, as India had transformed into a formidable opponent on any stage.

Rahul Dravid's appointment as coach of the Rajasthan Royals has triggered a significant shake-up within the franchise's management. Former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour is reportedly set to join Dravid's support staff, prompting speculation that Director of Cricket Operations Kumar Sangakkara is seeking an exit.According to reports, Sangakkara has initiated talks with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the role of mentor, potentially replacing Gautam Gambhir, who recently became India's head coach. KKR is undergoing a major overhaul of its support staff, with Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar joining the Indian team.Sangakkara has been instrumental in Rajasthan's recent success, helping the team reach the IPL final in 2022 and finish third in the 2023 season. His departure would mark a significant loss for the Royals.If Sangakkara joins KKR, it would complete a full circle of coaching changes involving him, Gambhir, and Dravid. Gambhir replaced Dravid as India's head coach, while Dravid is now replacing Gambhir at the Royals.Sangakkara's potential move to KKR would also align with the franchise's desire to strengthen its coaching setup. With Chandrakant Pandit as head coach and Bharat Arun as bowling coach, KKR is looking to add experience and expertise to its support staff.Sangakkara's decision is expected to be finalized in the coming days. His departure from Rajasthan would leave a void in the franchise's management, but it could also open up opportunities for other talented individuals to join the Royals.

Rahul Dravid's cricketing journey has been a remarkable tale of resilience and triumph. Known as "The Wall" for his unwavering defense, Dravid was a batting maestro who played countless match-winning innings for India. Despite his illustrious 16-year playing career, Dravid's trophy cabinet lacked an ICC title.However, destiny had a special plan for him. After retiring as a player, Dravid took over as coach of Team India. Under his guidance, Rohit Sharma and his team clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, India's first ICC title in 11 years.The World Cup final, where India defeated South Africa, was Dravid's last game as coach. The team rewarded him with the ultimate farewell gift, and during the trophy collection, fans witnessed a rare sight: the usually composed Dravid immersed in a wild celebration.The 51-year-old, known for his calm demeanor, opened up about the moment at the CEAT Awards. "We strived to achieve something together. When you come at the end of it, you have moments like that. It's great to celebrate," he said.However, Dravid admitted that he tries to hide his exuberant celebrations from his sons, Samit and Anvay. "I try to avoid showing that to my children, thinking I've gone mad or something," he said."But yeah, I was always telling the boys we got to maintain our balance, and remain cool, not go up and down with results. Thank god it was my last game, otherwise after that, they would have said 'you're saying one thing but doing something else'," he added.Dravid's son, Samit, recently earned a spot in India's Under-19 squad for the Australia series. The three-match one-day series will be held in Puducherry in September.

Former Indian Captains Kumble and Dravid Share Insights at Match Referee SeminarIn a significant event at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, former Indian captains and head coaches Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid participated in a seminar on Wednesday, sharing their expertise on match management with match referees.The seminar delved into various aspects of managing a game on the field, with Kumble and Dravid providing valuable insights based on their extensive experience as players and coaches. Other notable figures in the cricketing world also contributed to the discussions, including ICC match referee and former India pacer Javagal Srinath, Elite Panel umpire Nitin Menon, and NCA Education Head Sujith Somasundar.The seminar attracted the participation of several domestic match referees, including the seasoned Manu Nayyar. The attendees engaged in discussions and deliberations on topics related to match management, exchanging their experiences and ideas to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field.Srinath, a match referee since 2006, and Nitin, who recently officiated in the T20 World Cup, shared their experiences from the prestigious tournament. Srinath, a former Indian fast bowler, has officiated in more than 250 ODIs, making him one of the few referees to achieve this milestone.Earlier this year, the ICC Elite Panel of referees and umpires retained both Srinath and Nitin for their exceptional performance and dedication to the sport. The seminar provided a platform for these experienced individuals to share their knowledge and insights with the match referees in attendance, contributing to the overall development of match management in cricket.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer and current head coach of the Indian men's team, is set to return to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as head coach for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This move comes after Dravid's tenure as India coach concludes following the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.Dravid has a long-standing relationship with RR, having served as their captain in 2012 and 2013, and as team director and mentor in 2014 and 2015. He also has a close working relationship with RR captain Sanju Samson, who came through the under-19 ranks under Dravid's guidance.According to sources, Dravid recently signed a deal with RR and has already begun initial conversations on player retentions ahead of the upcoming mega auction. It is also understood that former India batter Vikram Rathour is likely to join Dravid's coaching staff as an assistant coach. Rathour, a former India selector, worked with Dravid at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before becoming India's batting coach in 2019.While Dravid will take charge of RR in the IPL, Kumar Sangakkara, who has been their director of cricket since 2021, will continue with the franchise and oversee their teams in other leagues, including the Paarl Royals in the SA20 and the Barbados Royals in the CPL.RR have not won the IPL title since the inaugural season in 2008, but they came close in 2022 when they finished runners-up to the Gujarat Titans. They failed to make the playoffs in 2023 but bounced back in 2024, reaching Qualifier 2 before being eliminated.Dravid's return to RR is expected to bring stability and experience to the franchise, which has been searching for a consistent run of success in recent years. His vast knowledge of the game and his ability to nurture young talent will be invaluable assets for RR as they look to challenge for the IPL title once again.

Rahul Dravid, the former India coach and captain, recently shared his thoughts on his coaching career and the challenges of the game at the CEAT awards. Dravid, who guided India to victory in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, reflected on the highs and lows of his tenure."The beauty of this game is that you are failing a lot more than you are succeeding," Dravid said. "But that's what makes it so much more fun, so much more enjoyable."Dravid's tenure as coach was marked by both success and disappointment. India reached the final of the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup but lost both to Australia. However, they managed to bring home the T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final."When you have moments like that, I try and avoid showing that to my children, thinking I've gone mad or something," Dravid said of his emotions after winning the T20 World Cup. "But I have been always telling the boys that we have got to maintain our balance, we've got to remain cool and not go up and down with the results."Dravid also spoke about the challenges of coaching a team at the highest level. "You are constantly under scrutiny," he said. "You are constantly being judged. But that's part of the job. You have to be able to handle that pressure."Despite the challenges, Dravid said he enjoyed his time as coach. "It was a great experience," he said. "I learned a lot. I grew a lot. And I made some lifelong friends."Dravid is now looking forward to the next chapter in his career. He has not yet announced his plans, but he said he is open to new opportunities. "I'm not sure what the future holds," he said. "But I'm excited to find out."