After India exited the T20 World Cup right at the penultimate stage, there has been quite a lot of criticism for Rahul Dravid and his team.
Many former cricketers are not happy with the team’s performance and some have even deemed the selection wrong.
Now, former Pakistan spinner, Danish Kaneria has also joined the bandwagon and has stated that Rahul Dravid should only coach the Indian Test team, not the T20I.
Kaneria gave all due respect to Dravid as a Test player but says that the latter lacks the ‘mindset’ required to coach and guide the team to become T20 World champions.
Dravid took over the head coach role last year after Ravi Shastri stepped down from the role after the T20 World Cup.
While Dravid tried to instill a new mindset into the batsmen, the plan backfired during the T20 World Cup.
Kaneria also feels that Dravid doesn’t have the aggression which is required in T20Is.
If you picked Rishabh Pant, you should’ve utilised him. He should’ve been sent out to bat higher up in the batting order, after KL Rahul got out. He came out to bat in the 19th over. What can he do then? India would have to change the mindset. Rahul Dravid will have to change his mentality. As a cricketer, Rahul Dravid was excellent in the Test format. He should be India’s coach only in Tests but not in T20Is.
Kaneria also questioned the team selection as he mentioned the names of Mohammad Siraj, Umran Malik, and Rahul Tewatia.
Rahul Dravid also made big mistakes before the World Cup. Different teams were set up by the management but preparation was zero. Where was Rahul Tewatia? If he was there, India would’ve had an all-rounder like Shadab Khan. He bowls and can be an impact player as a batter. You didn’t invest into him. Your bowling department was weak but you didn’t do anything. Mohammad Siraj could’ve been X-factor while Umran Malik was also not picked. You need express pacers in Australia. You don’t need 120-130 kph bowlers there.
After such harsh criticisms from home and even from across the border, India will have to think hard and pick the right players for the next T20 World Cup in 2024.
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