The cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Team India head coach Rahul Dravid doesn’t deserve criticism whenever the team perform poorly. He also added that the role of a cricket coach is totally different from that of a football coach and further noted that the chairman of selectors has more power than Dravid as well.

Speaking on sports journalist Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel, Sanjay Manjrekar expressed: “People often confuse a cricket coach with a football coach. In cricket, a coach doesn’t have enough power. Even when the team was picked. Rahul Dravid was not part of the meeting. When a team wins or loses, the contribution of a coach is marginal. Rohit Sharma is very experienced, and there are a few others in the team as well. So, it is a combined effort. I believe that the chairman of selectors has more power than the coach.”

READ MORE: “Can be the future captain of India” – Kiran More on Ruturaj Gaikwad

It is also noteworthy that, Rahul Dravid has been subjected to a lot of criticism, especially for his chopping and changing approach as well. Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar also opined on how Team India will deal with the added pressure as they are the hosts for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

“There were a lot of expectations in 2011 as well. It was different in 1983, as there wasn’t the added pressure of expectations. India were expected to win the World Cup in 2011. I consider this a significant achievement for MS Dhoni, as he was able to deliver amid all the expectations. Yes, there is a home advantage, but the pressure is also a lot higher,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded. “Qualifying for the semi-finals is not a big enough goal for Indian cricket now. It is about performing in the knockout matches. India have players who can perform on the big stage. After the MS Dhoni-led side’s World Cup win, every captain had the responsibility to win world titles just like they win bilaterals.”