After the forgetful 2021 ICC T20 world cup, the Indian cricket team has transitioned into a new-looking unit with relative ease. There is a new coach and T20I captain. The first test after the world cup will also not feature the regular captain or players. Most of the experienced and test mainstays have been rested and the current unit has fresh and new.
The way the team has functioned up until now is already seeing a gradual transformation. It was evident in the T20I series where India comfortably blanked the Kiwis 3-0. The new era in Indian cricket has been ushered in. From here on, Sharma and Dravid will build a team that should be battle-hardened for next year’s ICC T20 world cup in Australia. The Indian team and management will consider this as their primary task at hand.
India beats New Zealand by 3-0 in the T20I series
Moving onto the test series, India is scheduled to a strong Kiwi side in 3 tests. India will be without the services of Sharma and Kohli in the first test. KL Rahul has also pulled out due to an injury. The original squad is already without Pant, Shami, Bumbrah and Jaddu. With such A-listers sitting out, India has provided a chance to numerous youngsters who will be raring to go out there and stake their claim in the squad. Youngsters such as Axar Patel, Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer will all be in the fray. Dravid, who has worked extensively with these boys in the India-A unit and U-19 squad will want to groom them for bigger roles in the future.
India is slated to take on the Kiwis in the first test starting November 25, 2021. It will be played in Kanpur’s Green Park stadium. India will be excited to take on the world’s best test team after being humiliated in the World Test Championship final in June by the same team. the Kiwis on the other hand would strive to have a series win in Asia and help them get rid of their tag of “home track bullies.” If Williamson can pull off a win here, then it will be another distinction in his long list of achievements.
An interesting video shared by the BCCI on their Twitter page was of the coach rolling his arm in the nets. Rahul Dravid was caught bowling right-arm-off spin in the nets during the Indian team’s practice. In the video, he was seen bowling to an Indian batsman who most likely was Cheteshwar Pujara.
𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁-𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳𝗳-𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲? 🤔
🎥 That moment when #TeamIndia Head Coach Rahul Dravid rolled his arm over in the nets. 👍 👍#INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/97YzcKJBq3
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 24, 2021
With the Kiwis already stating to the press that they are intending to field three spin options in their eleven, it does not come as a surprise to see the coach himself getting down to business to help his players get accustomed to playing spin.
It must not be forgotten that Rahul Dravid did roll his arm over when the team needed him in his playing days. He also has 5 international wickets against his name in test cricket and one-day internationals. It would be interesting to see how the series plays out under the new leadership and how Dravid’s proactive coaching rubs off on the team.
