As coach of India’s under-19 and ‘A’ teams, Rahul Dravid has equipped players to make the difficult transition from domestic to international cricket

You associate Rahul Dravid with resilience. His mental resources and discipline were force multipliers of his batting ability. A sterling work ethic and a value-system drawn from the heart of cricket made him what he was — a role model on and off the field.

And after retirement, his contribution to Indian cricket, in his typically quiet, efficient and self-effacing fashion, has been enormous.

As coach of the India under-19 and ‘A’ teams — he assumed charge in mid-2015 — Dravid has guided the next generation, honing their technique and, crucially, preparing them mentally for the challenges of international cricket.

The concept of ‘A’ tours is essential for the development of cricketers, particularly in conditions outside Asia. The batsmen get a taste of pace, swing, seam movement and bounce. The pacemen learn the right lengths to bowl on those tracks and are exposed to different balls, such as the Dukes and Kookaburra.

The players also get a feel of quality global competition; the opposition often comprises several internationals or those on the fringes of selection. So when they move to the next stage, they are not intimidated by reputations.

While Indian teams have embarked on ‘A’ tours in the past as well, there are many more such campaigns now, and plenty of thought behind them. Last year, India ‘A’ visited England and New Zealand ahead of the Test series in England and Australia respectively; several cricketers on the ‘A’ tours played in the subsequent Tests.

Encouragingly, many more cricketers are coming through the ranks. And they seem ready.

When Mayank Agarwal was pitchforked into the vital Melbourne Test, travelling on an SOS from India, he not only displayed a tight game against Mitchell Starc & Co. but also exhibited the strength of mind needed for the big stage on Boxing Day.

Later, Mayank revealed that Dravid had spoken to him about “managing his mental energy” on the eve of the Test. What wonderful advice!

Similarly, the combative wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, a powerhouse really, not just arrived on the Test scene but showed he belonged mentally, appearing to relish the sniff of a duel.

And the same mental toughness is evident with Hanuma Vihari, another cricketer who has spent quality time with Dravid on ‘A’ tours. Vihari looks technically sound and possesses the belief that is so essential for big-time cricket.

The Board has done well to put Dravid in charge of both the under-19 and the ‘A’ teams on a long-term basis. There is continuity, a natural progression of cricketers with promise from the under-19 level to the Ranji Trophy and then to the India ‘A’ set-up from where they can graduate to international cricket.

All the while, you have Dravid, someone with great integrity and insight, gauging their ability, honing their skills, overseeing their development, and being accessible to them at all times. India all-rounder Vijay Shankar said, “Dravid sir told me I could call him up any time and discuss my problems with him.”

And Dravid keeps his lines of communication with chairman of selectors M.S.K. Prasad and the team-management, including Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli, open.

Resultantly, India now has a feeder system in place. The gifted Prithvi Shaw was fast-tracked into the team after Dravid convinced the selectors and team-management about the youngster’s preparedness for Test cricket.

Dravid constantly interacts with the junior selection panel as well. Former India seamer Venkatesh Prasad, who headed the junior panel for more than two years, said, “Rahul is not only a great player but has wonderful communication skills.”

Prasad added, “He throws up a lot of ideas during conversations. Rahul bridges the gap with the boys, puts them at ease, and encourages them to express themselves. And there is so much respect for him.”

Prasad felt that the selectors too should be given their due. “They travel to so many games, watch so many matches, look for talent. The junior panel made some good decisions.”

The M.S.K. Prasad-led senior panel, in tandem with Dravid and the team-management, has also got several key picks right.

In fact, after batsman Shubman Gill was selected for the New Zealand tour, M.S.K. Prasad revealed, “We have discussed with Rahul (Dravid), that Shubman is ready for international cricket. The best part is the clutch of ‘A’ tours which has made all these players battle-ready for the biggest challenge.”

The present generation is fortunate; there are so many avenues. S. Sharath, former Tamil Nadu left-hander, played his best cricket in the 90s, when the opportunities were few and far between.

Sharath, a formidable batsman in domestic cricket, said, “I just played in one ‘A’ series, that too in the sub-continent, in Bangladesh, and on an astro-turf pitch. Now the youngsters get so many chances. And they have an exceptional person such as Dravid to guide them.”

Sharath, who played in the India under-19 team with Dravid, said, “To me, [V.V.S.] Laxman is the most talented player from South Zone and Dravid the toughest mentally. Even then, at the under-19 level, you could see those traits in him.”

That the BCCI now permits youngsters to play in only one under-19 World Cup enables them to move forward, rather than stagnate at the junior level.

At the under-19 stage, it is more about identifying talent and focusing on the ‘process’ than winning but Dravid put together a very good team, with the likes of Shaw, Gill, and exciting pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, which went on to triumph in the 2018 World Cup.

Dilip Vengsarkar, former India captain and past chairman of BCCI’s successful Talent Resource Development Wing, said, “The ‘A’ team concept is good and Dravid has been doing a fine job. But you should not have ‘A’ tours during the period First Class cricket is played in India. It dilutes the field.”

Vengsarkar has a point but the cricket seasons in countries such as Australia, South Africa and New Zealand clash with the Ranji dates. A balance has to be struck.

For instance, for the ongoing ‘A’ matches against England Lions at home, the selectors have not picked anyone who is a part of the Ranji semifinals.

The under-19 and ‘A’ tours have enabled the emerging cricketers in India evolve. And it’s heartening that Dravid, constantly raising the bar, is leading this silent revolution. He continues to be a man on a mission.