The absence of a full-time coach has been perceived as a major drawback during India’s tour of England. Rahul Dravid dismissed that notion, saying he was excited about the challenge of leading the side on a tough tour.
“The pressure never increases or decreases. As India’s captain, there is a certain amount of pressure and a certain amount of joy that comes with it. There is great excitement about doing what you can, and that is the way I will be approaching this series,” Dravid told reporters on the concluding day of the cricket skills camp on Saturday.
The Bangalorean said the responsibility of performing on the field rested with the captain and players, while making it clear that the job of a coach was to prepare the team.
“There is a need for someone who can take the pressure off the players outside of a cricket field. Once a game starts, it is the responsibility of the captain and the players to perform well. A coach or a cricket manager, whatever terminology you want to use, can make a difference in the preparation. I am sure this is a short-term measure and I am sure they will find someone who will do the role.
“As captain, you cannot give individual attention to all 15 members. Coaches can do that, if it means spending extra hours in the net, throwing extra balls or putting extra balls in the bowling machine. That's where his role is, before and after a game,” he said.
Dravid tackled the issue of Graham Ford turning down the coaching job with the typical diplomacy. “If someone does not want to do the job, it is not a lost opportunity. If anyone wants to coach Indian team, he has to be 100 percent sure he wants to do it because it requires a lot of patience, energy and drive as it is going to take a lot out of you.”
Asked if he had a preference for a foreign coach, he replied acerbically, “Ravi (Shastri) was pretty Indian, from what I know. I have always spoken about the qualities required for a coach. To me personally, it makes no difference if it is an Indian or a foreigner as long as he has the required qualities,” he said.
On the young pace attack at his command, Dravid said, “If people say that the fast bowling unit doesn't have the experience, they are not wrong. Zaheer is the only guy with some experience. We have the talent, but there is not much we can do about injuries, they are part and parcel of the game. From the available fast bowlers, the best have been selected. It is going to be a good learning curve for these young boys, you cannot get a better place to learn than England.”
The omission of VVS Laxman from the playing eleven in the Tests in Bangladesh had raised questions, but Dravid put things in perspective.
“In Bangladesh, I truly believed you didn't need more than five batsmen and you needed that extra bowler to try and get 20 wickets to win a match. I have always stated from the start of my captaincy that in an ideal scenario, I would love to play five bowlers. But in an ideal scenario, we needed a bowling all-rounder who is at the top of his game and firing really well. When you don't have that option, then you either have to drop a batsman or a bowler.
“It is never easy to drop anyone, senior or junior. Especially Laxman, who is a proven performer and such a good player. We expect big things from him in England, and I am sure he will be given that opportunity,” he said.
On the upcoming twin tours, Dravid remarked, “South Africa is a very good one-day side, they are the number two one-day side. But Ireland is a neutral venue and I do believe we have got a team that will do very well there. England have done well at home, but we have the kind of players who can do well in the later part of the English summer.”
Allaying concerns about Sachin Tendulkar’s health, Dravid said, “Sachin is fine. It was just a bit of flu, normal cold and cough. He batted in the indoor nets today.”