Former India head coach Rahul Dravid recently opened up about one of the most challenging aspects of cricket management: striking the right balance in team selection while maintaining harmony in the dressing room. Known for his calm, methodical approach, Dravid revealed that a coach’s real test lies not just in strategy but in handling the emotional dynamics of selection decisions.
Dravid, who guided India through two ICC World Cups, experienced both heartbreak and triumph during his tenure. Under his guidance, India dominated the 2023 ODI World Cup, winning all their matches before narrowly missing out in the final. A year later, he signed off on a high by leading India to T20 World Cup glory in 2024, ending the nation’s long wait for an ICC trophy.
Speaking on Breakfast with Champions, Rahul Dravid shared the mental challenges that come with managing a national side overflowing with talent. “Your job really is to manage that environment as best as you possibly can — manage the environment, the selection, and the issues around it,” he explained.
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Rahul Dravid admitted that one of the toughest tasks is communicating selection decisions to players who don’t make the cut. “The challenge lies in communicating with players when they aren’t picked — explaining why certain people are dropped or why a particular combination is being played. Not everyone will agree with you, and that’s part of the job,” he said.
He also acknowledged that sometimes there isn’t even a strong reason to justify certain omissions.
“There are times when someone misses out not because they aren’t good enough, but because someone else is performing equally well. You can’t change a winning combination. Given a chance, even those left out would probably do well too. But only eleven can play,” he noted.
Rahul Dravid empathised with players like Ishan Kishan, who found themselves on the sidelines despite their potential. Kishan was removed from the BCCI central contract in early 2024 for skipping domestic cricket, alongside Shreyas Iyer. However, Kishan made a strong comeback in IPL 2024 and domestic matches for Jharkhand, earning reinstatement in the 2025 contract list.
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The wicketkeeper-batter has been a consistent performer, with 933 ODI runs at an average of 42.40, including a double century, and 796 T20I runs with six fifties. Though considered for India’s fifth Test against England after Rishabh Pant’s injury, Kishan had to withdraw due to fitness concerns — a reminder of how tough competition and timing can define a player’s international journey.
