Legendary player Rahul Dravid has had a bittersweet journey as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in the last 16 months. In fact, there have been more downs than ups. India has lost both the Test and ODI series in South Africa, and not qualifying for the final of the Asia Cup and getting knocked out in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup are some of the biggest let-downs of the Dravid era.
Ravi Shastri Rates Rahul Dravid’s Coaching
However, there have been a few positives as well, including retaining the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-1 series win over Australia. Dravid had big shoes to fill, considering he replaced Ravi Shastri, under whose tenure team India achieved a lot.
Meanwhile, speaking to Sports Tak on the sidelines of Legends League Cricket Masters, Shastri backed Dravid and also went on to rate Dravid’s performance as a coach very highly. He also urged the fans to show more faith and patience with the legendary Indian player. He said:
“It takes time. It took me time and it’s going to take him time too. But Rahul has an advantage that he was at the NCA, he was with the A team as well and now he’s here too. He is experienced with the contemporary cricketer players and with the system. Give him time,”
After the conclusion of this year’s World Cup, Dravid’s contract will expire. While it is likely to be extended for another term, how India performs during a World Cup year, let alone at home, will undoubtedly have an impact on Dravid’s future with team India.
Shastri Urged The Fans To Be Patient
Nonetheless, Shastri has extended his support to Dravid, and he also reminded that people in India only care about winning trophies until they don’t. To explain this further, Shastri reminded of the time when India won the Asia Cups in back-to-back editions in 2016 and 2018. He said:
“In our country, public memory is short. If you have to win, you have to win. During my tenure, we won two Asia Cups, but no one remembers. Has anyone mentioned Asia Cup? We’ve won it twice. And no one talks about it. But when we lose in Asia Cup, then the tournament comes into the picture. Why? That’s why I’m saying, the effort should always be there,”
“Everyone wants to win but what’s important is to put your best foot forward. And see what happens. Sometimes you don’t play your best cricket and still you’ll win the game but you’re going to have to be extremely lucky for that to win a World Cup. Very few teams win a World Cup by not playing well on that day. Very rare.”
