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.”
