It is a very exciting time for Indian cricket, says, Rahul Dravid
CRICKET LEGEND RAHUL DRAVID paid a visit to one of the most impoverished slums of Mumbai to meet young people from the Laureus Sport for Good supported organisation, Magic Bus, operating in Mankhurd.
Laureus has been supporting Magic Bus across India for over 15 years, helping them educate young people from disadvantaged communities using a mentorship and sport-for-development based approach. After taking part in a street cricket session with participants, Rahul gave an exclusive interview to Laureus.
About Indian cricket and its next challenge, he said,
“Even in test cricket, India finds itself up there in the rankings and largely because they have had great results in home conditions. The next challenge, really for this team, is to start performing and get results overseas. But things are beginning to turn with the win in Sri Lanka, and hopefully that you they can go beyond the subcontinent and produce those results.”
Talking about the India team for the T20, he said,
“For the Indian team, I think the good thing about this Indian team and this T20 World Cup is they have good all around depth at the moment. Players like Hardik Pandya and Pawan Negi, it just shows that they have got sort of batting right down to No. 8, 9.[…] This is a pretty formidable side at the moment and I think the all around ability of this team is what excites me.”
About India’s chances
“I think India would make the top four, but after that, it's just a question of who has a better day in the semifinal and final.”
About changing lives through sport in India
“India is a cricket crazy and sport crazy country and they identify with sport and sportsmen. […] it gives Laureus and the charities they support the opportunity to make a real difference in the community.”
Dravid, who played 164 Tests and 344 One-Day Internationals (ODI), further said that he expects teams like Australia, South Africa and the West Indies to do well in the tournament.
"Most teams have some very, very good players, good match-winners. Teams like Australia have got good depth in their side. A lot of players have played in subcontinent conditions through the Indian Premier League (IPL) so they have that experience of playing in India. Playing T20 cricket in India for a lot of teams and players is not new to them. They have played on all of these grounds. They know the conditions very, very well," said Dravid.
"South Africa with the likes of AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla -- they are always going to be a dangerous team. The West Indies as well, match-winners, power hitters, all the way through. And then the subcontinent teams, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will probably have the quality spinners and if conditions suit them, they can be a handful as well."
