The upcoming series between West Indies and India holds special significance for head coach Rahul Dravid and senior player Virat Kohli. The duo, who were teammates when India toured the West Indies in 2011, will now face the challenge in different roles. Dravid, who was a senior player at the time, will return to the Caribbean shores as the head coach, while Kohli, who made his Test debut during that tour, will be there as a senior player.
Reflecting on their previous visit, Dravid and Kohli shared their thoughts in a video shared by the BCCI. Rahul Dravid expressed his nostalgia, saying, “When I came back here in 2011, that was a very special occasion for this Island and for the ground here. To come back in a different capacity, to come here as a coach and bring a team here, Virat was the only one who was there when we came here in 2011.”
Dravid also praised Kohli’s talent and growth over the years, stating, “I remember it was Virat’s first Test series with the Indian team… you could see there was a special talent out there plus you could see that he was going to be around for a while… I think of myself as someone who is a young coach starting a journey as well. So, the tables have turned a little bit.”
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Virat Kohli, reflecting on his journey since that tour, expressed his amazement at returning to the same venue as a seasoned player. He said, “When we went to the dressing room and when we went to practice, I kind of remembered my first series here as a Test player… It is just amazing to be able to come back here 12 years later having played more than 100 Test matches, I would never have imagined anything like this.”
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣1️⃣ – Team members
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ – Head Coach & Batter
12 years on Rahul Dravid & Virat Kohli reminisce some special Dominica memories 😊#TeamIndia | #WIvIND | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/HRkBLS2Lam
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 12, 2023
Virat Kohli also acknowledged Dravid’s coaching career, stating, “It is quite amazing actually… I said I am sure you would have never imagined that 12 years later we will come back to the same venue and you would be the head coach and I would have played more than 100 games… We are blessed that we are the only two members from the last trip, still here in different capacities.”
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The mutual respect and admiration between Dravid and Kohli highlight their shared journey and the growth they have witnessed in each other’s careers. As they return to the West Indies, their presence adds a sense of nostalgia and continuity to the series.
As the West Indies and India gear up for the upcoming matches, fans eagerly await the performances of both teams. The historic connection between Dravid and Kohli adds an extra layer of significance to the series, symbolizing the rich cricketing legacy and the growth of players over time.
