Vikram Rathour, the former batting coach of India, heaps praise on ex-head coach Rahul Dravid. Rahul Dravid served India as the head coach starting November 2021, and his tenure ended after the successful T20 World Cup 2024 on June 29th, 2024. India defeated South Africa to clinch and ICC trophy after 11 years.
Gautam Gambhir is the new head coach for the Men-in Blue. The former start-opening batter of India was in the run for the role alongside big names that included Ricky Pointing, Justin Langer, and Stephen Fleming. After Gautam Gambhir’s name flashed in the media outlets for several days, he was finally concluded as the head coach on July 9th, 2024.
Rahul Dravid Gives A Lot Of Space: Vikram Rathour
India triumphed at the T20 World Cup 2024, defeating opponents South Africa in the finals in the Caribbean. On lifting an ICC trophy after 11 years, Rahul Dravid, as a head coach, and other members of the coaching staff had a huge role to play. Vikram Rathour, the ex-batting coach, seemed to have a good rapport with Rahul Dravid. Therefore, the former batting coach had to share his side, sitting next to Dravid for this three-year-long holding of the men’s cricket team.
Vikram Rathour regarded Rahul Dravid as the best coach he has worked with. In addition, he continued with the praise of the former head coach, saying he was open to suggestions and straightforward with his feedback. Vikram Rathour also looked back on the discussion with Rahul Dravid, where they discussed bringing aggression and intent in the batting approach, referring to T20 cricket. Vikram Rathour told PTI that,
“Rahul is the best coach that I have worked with, who gives you lots of space to work, is open to suggestions and will provide you an honest feedback,”
“One of the first discussions we had was about changing the batting template in T20 cricket. We agreed that we needed to bring in more intent and aggression in our batting approach”
Furthermore, Rathour also talked about Axar Patel’s involvement in the batting line-up. According to the coach, Axar Patel’s fearless batting had the batters in the top order to bat freely. Axar Patel scored crucial 47 runs off 31 deliveries in the finale. The 30-year-old all-rounder assisted Virat Kohli to accelerate the scoreboard when India’s wickets were falling now and then. He said,
“That made a massive difference and gave the batters in the top order lot more freedom to bat. Axar was always a good batter and all he needed was an opportunity to express himself fearlessly with an uncomplicated technique”
Beforehand, after registering a second win in the T20 World Cup after 17 years, Vikram Rathour shared a heartfelt note on Instagram. The former batting coach regarded Rahul Dravid as not only the best coach but also a great human being. He wrote,
‘TO LEAD PEOPLE YOU NEED TO WALK BEHIND THEM’. Rahul you epitomise this quote. It was a privilege and honour to work with you. Thanks for your support and guidance . A great coach and an even better human being.
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