(ANI Photo)
Team India head coach Rahul Dravid is grappling with a selection dilemma ahead of their first Super Eight match against Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup 2024. Choosing between Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal for the playing 11 could potentially lead to Mohammed Siraj being dropped. However, this is not the only challenge Dravid faced during the press conference before India’s crucial game in Barbados. When reminded about India’s 1997 Test defeat against West Indies at the Kensington Oval, where the current team will play Afghanistan, Dravid’s reaction was calm but noticeably unenthusiastic.
Dravid maintained his composure, responding with a wry smile when questioned by a reporter about the historical context of the venue and the upcoming match.
Rahul Dravid said, “Geez, thanks a lot buddy. I have had some other decent memories here as well.” The conversation did not stop there as the reporter went on pressing, “That is actually my question. A chance for you to probably make new and much better memories tomorrow?”
Rahul Dravid replied, “God man! I am not trying to make new anything man. I move on from things very quickly. I think, that’s one of my things. I don’t look back on things. I try and look at what I am doing now, at the moment. I am not concerned about what happened in 97 or some other year.”
India, aiming for 120 runs to win, fell 38 runs short in the third Test against West Indies, held in Barbados in 1997. Rahul Dravid contributed 78 runs in the first innings, steering India to a total of 319. However, in the second innings, Dravid managed only two runs. Ian Bishop claimed four wickets in the second innings, securing a memorable victory for West Indies.
Currently, Rahul Dravid serves as the coach of the Indian cricket team. His tenure will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024, marking the end of his coaching stint with India.
