Rahul Dravid’s advice to India Under-19 players after World Cup loss

Rahul Dravid may say that it is a player’s team and not the coach’s but one cannot help the hype if a personality of his stature is the side’s coach. The India Under-19 side that played the recently concluded Under-19 World in Bangladesh had talented cricketers who did very well till the finale and Dravid deserves every credit for monitoring, mentoring and guiding the unit.

After the team’s defeat in the final in hands of West Indies at Dhaka, Dravid spent 15 minutes with each of the Indian players. In a report from Mid-Day, skipper Ishan Kishan said, “After the match, Dravid sir spoke to us individually as well as in a group. He told me that this (loss) is not the end of the world and that there are a lot of things a person has to do in future. He told me, ‘it is necessary to face failure in life. You don’t realise the importance of achievement without failure. It’s fine that you lost this time, but be ready and cautious in the next opportunity.'”

Dravid too enjoyed his maiden coaching experience. The same report quoted the Indian great as saying, “Of course, it could have been nice had we won the final. Having said that, the last three months have been a good learning experience for them. Hopefully, it will help them in their future journeys.”

Few of the Indian cricketers from this Under-19 side have managed to bag IPL contracts. Many of the under-19 cricketers have gone on to make big at the highest level. We wish these boys all the very best.