‘He should be India’s coach only in Tests’ – Ex-Pakistan bowler tears apart Rahul Dravid’s tactics in 20-20 World Cup 2022
Rahul Dravid (source: Twitter)
India’s elimination from the 20-20 World Cup 2022 on the semifinals day has elicited a wide range of reactions from the global cricketing community. A number of retired international cricketers have attempted to highlight the flaws in the Indian team that led to their elimination from the tournament.
Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria even went so far as to say that Rahul Dravid should not be the Indian team’s coach in the shortest format. Kaneria believes Dravid lacks the ‘mindset’ required to lead the Indian team to T20 world championship glory.
Kaneria questioned Dravid’s credentials as India’s T20 coach in a video posted to his YouTube channel. While giving Dravid the respect he deserves for the player he was, especially in Tests, the former Pakistani spinner believes Dravid lacks the aggression required to lead India to victory in the shortest format.
“If you picked Rishabh Pant, you should’ve utilised him. He should’ve been sent out to bat higher up in the batting order, after KL Rahul got out. He came out to bat in the 19th over. What can he do then? India would have to change the mindset. Rahul Dravid will have to change his mentality. As a cricketer, Rahul Dravid was excellent in the Test format. He should be India’s coach only in Tests but not in T20Is,” Kaneria said.
“His intent is not there as there’s no aggression. He doesn’t know how to handle pressure. He was a ‘calm and cool cricketer’ who can stay on the crease for the whole day. But, this is T20 cricket. Here, you have to handle pressure. But, you can’t handle pressure in T20s,” he further added.
Rahul Dravid also made big mistakes before the World Cup: Danish Kaneria
Kaneria also questioned the absence of several players from the team, including Rahul Tewatia, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, and others.
“Rahul Dravid also made big mistakes before the World Cup. Different teams were set up by the management but preparation was zero. Where was Rahul Tewatia? If he was there, India would’ve had an all-rounder who could’ve played a role similar to Shadab Khan. He bowls and can be an impact player as a batter. You didn’t invest into him. Your bowling department was weak but you didn’t do anything. Mohammed Siraj could’ve been X-Factor while Umran Malik was also not picked. You need express pacers in Australia. You don’t need 120-130 kph bowlers there,” he asserted.
