Rahul Dravid believes Indian cricket has grown into a “powerful” force, largely due to the expanding talent pool that now reaches even the most remote parts of the country. Dravid, who coached India to their T20 World Cup victory in June, attributes this evolution to the strong club cricket culture, which has shifted the dominance away from only big cities.
“Indian cricket is extremely strong today because talent is emerging from all over the country,” Dravid said during the 50-year celebration of Mount Joy Cricket Club. He noted that in the past, most of the talent came from big cities or specific states, but now cricketers from smaller towns and rural areas are making their mark at the national level.
Dravid highlighted the improvement in India’s domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy. He recalled that in the past, teams in the South Zone could sometimes be taken lightly, but today, no team can be underestimated.
He also emphasized the importance of a robust club cricket structure, particularly in Karnataka. “We need cricket to be accessible everywhere, not just in a few places. To nurture talent, we must ensure young players have access to good facilities across the country,” Dravid said.
Reflecting on his own club career, Dravid shared how he cherished learning from senior players after practice sessions, which contributed significantly to his development as a cricketer.
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