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Ajay Jadeja urges BCCI not to tell Rahul Dravid how to run the team
By SMCS - Nov 6, 2021 12:00 pm
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Former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja has requested the BCCI to support the newly appointed head coach Rahul Dravid and his vision for Team India rather than telling him “how to run the team”.

ajay jadeja

After a lot of speculation, Rahul Dravid has officially been announced as the replacement for Ravi Shastri on Wednesday. He’ll take up the reins after the ongoing T20 World Cup, beginning with a home series against New Zealand in November.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Ajay Jadeja said that Dravid is a “role model of discipline and dedication”. He again said that he should be given a free hand to execute his vision, understanding and dedication, otherwise, his efforts won’t work as well.

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Ajay Jadeja said: “If there’s a role model of discipline and dedication, it’s Rahul Dravid. You want a lot of things from a coach but discipline and dedication are probably the two prime things. It will be interesting to see who will make the next T20 captain – Rahul Dravid or [the selectors]. There’s no doubt in his individual praise but when someone becomes an Indian coach, if you don’t let him work or don’t use his vision then it’s all redundant, anyone can be a coach in that way.”

rahul dravid
Coaching stint of Rahul Dravid has always been appreciated

Jadeja further added: “So if you have brought Rahul Dravid, the biggest name, then at least go with his vision. This is my request to the board… If a man like Rahul Dravid has joined then please, please move alongside his vision, understanding and dedication, don’t tell him how to run the team.”

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Notably, this will be Rahul Dravid’s first full stint as Team India head coach, where his contract initially continues for two years. He has earlier coached India’s Under-19 and ‘A’ teams and the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru as well and tasted success too. While talking about that during the same interaction, Virender Sehwag also called Rahul Dravid the “best man for the job”.

Sehwag said: “He’s the best man for the job. He has spent so many years preparing the Under-19 and India ‘A’ players. What he can contribute to this Indian team, I don’t think anyone else can. What I like about him a lot is when he’s with the Under-19 and India ‘A’ players, he thinks and talks like them. He doesn’t think he’s the Rahul Dravid or has played so much cricket, he thinks at their level. That’s what will be his benefit in this Indian team. He’ll think like them, analyze what can be done to improve their performance in ICC tournaments.”