Colombo: The Indian team is on a tour of Sri Lanka and is set to play a three-match ODI series from 18th July followed by three T20s. India is currently under the captainship of Shikhar Dhawan while the coach of the ODI team is Rahul Dravid.
Rahul Dravid's contribution to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and also with India's U-19 team cannot be overlooked. It is because of Dravid that today, India's bench strength has become immensely strong. Indian opening batsman Sanju Samson put his weight behind Rahul Dravid and his role in the team. Samson was speaking on Star Sports’ show Follow The Blues.
“Each and every individual in the India A side or the juniors going into the Indian team have been fortunate to go through a person called Rahul Dravid. We are very lucky to learn our cricket from him,” said Samson as quoted by Indian Express.
“I remember going to the Rajasthan Royals trials one day – I batted really well – and he came up to me and asked me a question ‘can you play for my team?’. So, that was the biggest moment of my life, and I can never forget that. That shows how great a human being he is, and I really enjoy his company.”
“I have heard that Rahul Dravid as a coach is similar to Rahul Dravid as a player. I wish I could bring even one per cent of the patience he has within me; it will be a big achievement for me,” Nitish Rana said.
The ODIs will be followed by the first T20 on 25th July. The second and third T20s will be played on 27th and 29th July. All the T20 games will commence at 8 pm IST. The T20 leg will also be played in Colombo.