Rahul Dravid on Indian Cricket's Evolution and Future

Rahul Dravid emphasized Indian cricket's evolution into a powerful force, attributing it to a growing talent pool spread across India. Highlighting strong club cricket culture, Dravid noted that domestic cricket standards have drastically improved, and accessible infrastructure is essential for nurturing young talent nationwide.

Legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid on Sunday declared that Indian cricket has transformed into an 'extremely powerful' entity, driven by a burgeoning talent pool extending to India's remotest areas.

During the 50th year celebration of Mount Joy Cricket Club, Dravid, who orchestrated India's T20 World Cup victory, credited a strong club cricket culture for breaking the old dominance of city cricketers in the national team.

Dravid remarked that today's Indian cricket landscape is vibrant, with talent emerging from all corners of the country, a stark contrast to the earlier eras when big cities were the main talent hubs. He emphasized that this shift reflects in the competitive standards of domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, where every team, especially in the South Zone, now poses a significant challenge.

Dravid also praised the inclusive structure of club cricket in India, particularly in Karnataka, for keeping the sport accessible. He stressed the importance of having robust clubs and widespread infrastructure to ensure young cricketers nationwide have opportunities to develop.

Recalling his own formative years in club cricket, Dravid shared a nostalgic anecdote about the humble after-practice rewards that kept him motivated, not for the nutrition but for the invaluable cricketing insights from senior players like BK Kumar and Nandan.

(With inputs from agencies.)