IND vs NZ: Ravi Shastri Not Pleased With Coach Rahul Dravid Taking Too Many Breaks
Ravi Shastri has questioned Rahul Dravid for taking too many breaks.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has slammed current head coach Rahul Dravid for taking too many breaks, stating the coaching staff should spend more time with players and not take frequent breaks.
Team India is currently on a tour of New Zealand where they are set to play three T20Is and as many ODIs. Senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and vice-captain KL Rahul have been given a rest after the T20 World Cup 2022.
Along with the senior players, head coach Rahul Dravid has also been granted a break with VVS Laxman taking up the coaching duties in New Zealand. Hardik Pandya will lead the T20I team while Shikhar Dhawan will shoulder the captaincy duties of the ODI team.
Notably, this is not the first time Rahul Dravid and his support staff have been granted a break with VVS Laxman and his team taking up the duties of the Men in Blue in overseas conditions.
Earlier Dravid and Co. were given a break on the Ireland tour as they were busy in England preparing for the ODI and T20I series; Later, Dravid wasn’t there when KL Rahul-led India toured Zimbabwe in August, as well as during last month’s home ODI series against South Africa.
Shastri, who was a pretty active coach during his tenure irrespective of whichever team played, isn’t in favour of Dravid taking frequent breaks. He also pointed out how regular breaks can affect the coach-player relationship.
“I don’t believe in breaks. I want to understand my team and players, and then be in control of that team. What do you need that many breaks for, to be honest? You get your two-three months of the IPL, that’s enough for you to rest as a coach. But other times, I think a coach should be hands-on, whoever he is,” Ravi Shastri told journalists during a call organized by Prime Video.
Apart from head coach Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey have also been granted breaks with Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Sairaj Bahutule taking over the reins. Dravid will return to his coaching duties during India’s tour of Bangladesh for the ODI and Test series, along with Rathour and Mhambrey starting December 4.
