Rahul Dravid’s stint as the head coach of the Indian cricket team got off to a dream start as the Men in Blue whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in a three-match T20I series. Now, India will play their first Test match since Dravid took charge of the team with a two-match home series against Kane Williamson & Co.
This series will pose a unique test for Dravid as he will have to work with two different captains as Virat Kohli is set to miss the first game with Ajinkya Rahane set to lead the team in his absence.
With Rohit Sharma taking charge of the T20I team, Indian cricket is heading for an era of split captaincy and Dravid will have to work with both Rohit and Virat throughout his time at the helm of Indian cricket. Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that it will be important for Dravid and the two captains to work together in order to take Indian cricket to new heights.
Speaking to Star Sports, Harbhajan said, “See, the combination will obviously take some time for everyone to adjust to with new things, new processes that Rahul will bring onto the table and I think the triangle of these three is joined to one another, Rahul with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I think they should be working together and take Indian cricket to new heights.”
Harbhajan further claimed that Dravid will bring stability to the dressing room with players getting proper opportunities in the side and no one will be treated unfairly.
“With Rahul coming in, I can tell you that players will be given a lot of assurance. Players will be given good chances, there won’t be any unfair treatment and you’ll be left out of the team, they will be given proper opportunities and that’s what Rahul Dravid will bring onto the table. He will bring a lot of stability to the team,” said Harbhajan.
India will play New Zealand in the first Test of the Dravid era from Thursday (November 25). The second match is scheduled to take place from December 3 in Mumbai before the Men in Blue depart to South Africa for a multi-format tour.