Rahul Dravid as India coach: A public obsession about to turn into reality
When Sachin Tendulkar, the last of the Fab 5 retired in November 2013, it was the end of an era in Indian cricket that had lasted 24 years, not just with the presence of Tendulkar in it, but also the likes of Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble etc.
Eight years on, each of them has moved away to separate career paths. Each has remained revered personalities, but one seems to have gained an edge over the others, in the public eye.
During his playing career, it took time for Dravid to gain public acknowledgment, for what he did on the playing field. He was often judged for being a slow batsman, his batting style was equated to his overall personality: someone who lacked aggression, who did not give it as he got it and someone who was too laidback for his own good.
However, as his career progressed, the lack of acceptance converted to genuine respect as supporters of Indian cricket understood the value Dravid brought to the team, in more ways than one. Away from the pitch, women admired him and even the men started to notice and put in good words, for his performances, along side Tendulkar.
He finished as an international cricketer in 2012. No sooner he did, the public had understood enough to start putting the words ‘India’s head coach’ beside his name.
It was out of respect to a man they believed had all the qualities to mould a highly talented generation of players, coming through.
But the man chose not to fall for the public demand and instead opted for a less flashy role as the coach of the India ‘A’ and U19 teams in 2015.
In six years, Indian cricket has become strong enough to be able to field two teams simultaneously as was the case a few months ago, they are strong enough to have backups for almost every position and crucially because of the system that Dravid and his team put in place, few players carry stage fright when they take the field for India, today.
However, it is now two years that Dravid vacated that position. He no longer has a hands-on role in the functioning of a team and instead takes care of the workings at the NCA.
The BCCI does not want him to do just that. They want him running the affairs in the men’s team. They want him to play a role in the transition, that could happen in a few years, even before there is a serious thought put into it.
Now that Dravid has formally applied for the role and looks the front runner to get the job, a public obsession that started when he retired is about to turn into reality.
In 2015, few knew Dravid would re-structure the ‘A’ system, which had been desperate for consistency for so long, in the way that he has.
In 2021, Dravid will enter a greater world. A world filled with bouquets and brickbats, that have a greater impact.
Its a world, however, that he knows all too well.
