Rahul Dravid was recently confirmed as India’s head coach. After playing a successful hand in helping bring through India’s brightest youngsters over the last few years, there are lofty expectations about what he could achieve. Let’s take a look at what his priorities will be when he takes over as the India coach.
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The new T20I captain
India might have crashed out of T20 World Cup 2021, but the next edition is only 11 months away. While senior players might be rested from the squad for the upcoming New Zealand series, the India side will soon be with a permanent new skipper in the format. Many expect it to be Rohit Sharma, though nothing can be said till the appointment is actually made. Irrespective, one of the first things on Dravid’s plate will be to get in tune with the set-up of dual captaincy, and match his wavelengths with those of the new Indian captain; after a disappointing T20 World Cup, this might not be so straightforward.
Pursuit of World Cup glory
That India are a very good international team is without doubt, but it is high time the side brings an ICC trophy back home. The ignominious exit in this World Cup aside, India have consistently faltered at the dying stages of world tournaments in recent years. This team will be doing a disservice to itself if they fail to lift an ICC trophy with this set of players.
The next two years provide ample opportunity to correct that situation. Because of his World Cup success with the U-19 side, Dravid will be looked at by many as someone who can deliver the goods for India.
Evolution, not revolution
There were questions around India’s lack of clarity with respect to their side’s combination and player positions during the T20 World Cup. Their new-look ODI line-up too needs a bit of fine-tuning, while the form of certain Test batters hasn’t been the best. Besides, while India have a battery of fast bowlers lining up, they need to make the best use of the talent at their disposal.
Dravid will have to figure out the best possible combinations which can work for India across formats, while trying to introduce some new ideas, perhaps a rotation policy for quicks.
What to do with the veterans?
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane have been an integral part of the Indian batting setup for much of the past decade – all of them are now well into their 30s. But of late, the returns for some of them have dropped and even see their places in the side (in some formats) questioned. Given that these players are not going to get any younger, further questions will be raised if they can’t keep up their form.
It’s now up to Dravid and his team management to take some tough calls with respect to some senior players. This will never be an easy job, given how the senior players will form the core of the team’s think-tank.
How to make India an all-time great side
India are brimming with talent at present, and have produced exceptional results in recent times. But with Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Prithvi Shaw in the ranks, they might be on the cusp of something even bigger – a team which dominates world cricket for the best part of a decade. To ensure this global supremacy should be the ultimate goal for Dravid & co.
