RIGHT MAN
| Date :01-Jul-2019 |
In rahul Dravid a right man has been placed in charge of the prestigious National Cricket Academy (NCA) at Bengaluru. Till recently in charge of grooming under-19 cricketers, Rahul Dravid, the legendary cricketer, who, along with Sachin Tendulkar, has been instrumental in taking Indian cricket to the top of the world, has been bestowed with greater responsibility of the (NCA). Under his tutelage India has seen several young players from the under-19 and India A teams making great impact on international cricket at junior level, emerging among the top teams of the world and also have become a source for finding talent for the national team. It is for this reason that India can now boast of a very strong bench strength, both in batting and bowling departments.
And it is precisely for this reason that Team India management, now busy with the World Cup in England, is not unduly perturbed over injury scare because it is well stocked with reserve players who can readily and creditably fill the gaps that may arise. The best example is that of the injury to a key player like swashbuckling opener Shikhar Dhavan after the first game in the ongoing tournament. Team India was ready with a replacement.
Likewise when Bhuvaneshwar Kumar had to be sidelined due to injury, there was a potent weapon in Mohammad Shami, who has proved to be devastating in the two games he played thereafter. Thus, though there was talent aplenty it needed to be nursed properly by a seasoned man like Rahul Dravid whose exploits as a legend is recognised by the whole world by bestowing upon him the nickname ‘The Wall’. This ‘Wall’ has been inspirational for the generations of cricketers that followed in his footsteps. Fortunately for Indian cricket the players he has groomed ever since he retired from international cricket have made their mark at national and international level.
That is the result of the painstaking efforts he himself was wedded to during his playing days and is continuing with that regime of discipline and commitment with his wards. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has done a singular service to grooming of next generation of cricketers by placing the NCA under the stewardship of Rahul Dravid, the gentleman so well respected in international cricket.
The task for Dravid is cut out. He has to groom next generation of cricketers and plan a roadmap for junior cricket in the country. With his commitment to the cause, there is no doubt that Rahul Dravid will turn the NCA into an incubating centre for the emerging talent of cricketers. And young cricketers will find in Rahul Dravid a committed, learned ‘Guru.’