Rahul Dravid: 'I cringe at reading Virat Kohli's statements before a series'

Sport360 staff 19:56 30/10/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Rahul Dravid thinks Virat Kohli can be outrageous with his remarks.

    With India displaying heightened aggression on the field under the leadership of skipper Virat Kohli, former batting stalwart Rahul Dravid believes that in the end, the game remains all about the performances.

    Speaking in a discussion at the Bangalore Literature Festival, the former Indian batsman opined that he finds Kohli’s over the top comments before a series starts to be cringe worthy but believes it is alright as long it brings out the best on the field.

    “Virat sometimes comes across as outrageous and I cringe on reading his statements before a series. But if he can bring the best out of himself by needling the opposition, so be it,” Dravid said.

    The batsman famously nicknamed the ‘wall’ for his solid technique, defended Kohli’s aggression while advising youngsters to not just copy the Indian skipper blindly.

    “We want a little bit of lip on the field,” the former skipper said.

    Dravid said that he could never cover himself in tattoos and that a rock star image on the field will be of little help in a winning streak.

    The Bengaluru-born Dravid, who is the coach of the India U-19 squad, said he was disappointed in the way former team-mate Anil Kumble’s tenure came to an end but added that getting sacked is a common occurrence in the world of cricket.

    Dravid said Kumble's unceremonious departure was unfortunate.

    Dravid said Kumble’s unceremonious departure was unfortunate.

    “It is unfortunate for a legend who was part of the highest number of winning Indian teams to see unceremonious departure. At the same time, it is quite common that coaches always get sacked. I also am the Under-19 Indian team coach. I may also be sacked.”

    Dravid also chimed on the debate regarding MS Dhoni’s future with the Indian team, commenting that the Ranchi man remains in the team on merit.

    “People might have different opinions on when Dhoni should retire. But, if the selectors have selected him, he can play for India as long as he wants,” he remarked.

    On the debate of IPL and T20 leading a commercialization of cricket, Dravid said that the advent of the new leagues has brought in more money which in turn has lead to an improvement in the domestic infrastructure.

    “Although people may deride IPL and T20 format because of which they think cricket has been commercialised, thanks to the money in it, access to facilities are better,” Dravid said.

    Recommended