Dravid’s contract as head coach expired last month, marking the end of a successful period for Indian cricket. Alongside Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey also concluded their tenures, while fielding coach T Dilip was retained by the BCCI. Moving forward, the team secured a 4-1 victory against Zimbabwe in their first assignment post-Dravid.
Paras Mhambrey, who worked closely with Dravid for nearly a decade across various Indian cricket setups, provided insights into Dravid’s coaching philosophy. “My association with Rahul is a long one. I worked with him for India A, U19s, NCA, and then finally Team India. That’s eight-nine years of interaction and understanding of what the requirements are, and what the vision is. I knew what Rahul wanted,” Mhambrey told Hindustan Times in an interview.
A Coach Behind the Scenes
Mhambrey emphasized Rahul Dravid’s selfless nature, always focusing on the players and ensuring the team came first. “As a coach, Rahul was never in front, he is always behind (the players). That speaks a lot about the individual himself. A lot of focus was on the players. It’s all about the players, never about him. He never liked to take credit. You always see him in the background. A legend of a game. But to be able to say that, okay, I’m going to take a backseat and allow the captain and the team to be in the forefront, it’s phenomenal,” Mhambrey added.
The synergy between Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma was another key aspect of India’s success. Mhambrey highlighted the importance of their alignment, noting Rohit’s active involvement in team meetings and discussions. This collaborative approach extended beyond formal settings, with casual conversations during meals helping to build trust and strengthen bonds within the team.
“With Rohit… I’ve been part of the MI team. I’ve interacted a lot. It’s very important to have your captain on the same page. He was really involved in this team. He attended each and every meeting. There was a lot of discussion in the general team meetings and during those discussions during breakfast. Rahul and Vicky used to step out for dinner,” he further added.
Building Bonds and Trust
Mhambrey noted that casual dinners and meetings helped create a good bond, ultimately benefiting the team. “Rohit would join in to have a casual conversation. This just creates trust and a bond with everyone. That transpired on the ground. The relationship that they have it’s not only off the field, it’s on the field as well. Very nice of Rohit to say that (referring to Dravid as his work wife). That you know the impact Rahul has had on him,” he concluded.
Dravid’s tenure as head coach will be remembered for his selfless dedication and the strong team ethos he fostered. As the Indian cricket team moves forward under new leadership, the foundations laid by Dravid will undoubtedly continue to influence their path to success.
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