Rahul Dravid Was Told He Would Never Make it to the Indian Cricket Team

Can you imagine an Indian team without their most formidable defence? A man whose technique was so spot on that it ultimately gave him the nickname ‘The Wall’. It didn’t matter whether you were chucking bouncers at him or spinning the bowl a thousand rotations, nothing would go past his defences.

Yet despite crafting such an illustrious career, this cricketer was told he would never make it in the Indian side. The cricketer in question is none other than Rahul Dravid. Dravid like other great cricketers such as VVS Laxman was discovered by Daljit Singh. Singh you may recall is one of India’s most famous cricket pitch curators. Singh is also known for his coaching abilities and was appointed  chief coach of India’s Under-16 and Under-19 teams. It was at this level that he spotted both aforementioned cricketers and worked on their game, elevating it so they would finally make it in the national side.

While talking to SportsKeeda, Singh had the following to say about these two prospects”Earlier BCCI used to have coaching programs for under-16 and under-19 teams and they would be in Bangalore. So, for two years I was made the chief coach of under-16 and under-19. And I remember young players like Laxman and Rahul Dravid – they all came through those camps. So I did that stint,”.

“There was a camp in the 1990s, Azharuddin leading India to England. A two-week camp was held in Bangalore, I was one of the coaches for the Indian team preparing them for the English tour. So that was the coaching experience, very rewarding.”

Singh went onto talk about how he spotted Dravid who despite having some flaws in his technique was quick to learn. In fact as per Singh what amazed him most about Dravid was his appetite to fix these mistakes to ultimately create a solid defence.

“I never pushed any player for bookish knowledge and bookish technique. I tried to build on the strength of the player,” Singh said. “Like Rahul Dravid when he started, a lot of people told me that his bat is coming from outside, it is a crooked backlift, he will not succeed, so I had a good chat with him. I asked him if he can manage the incoming ball well and he replied that it was not a problem.