Rahul Dravid has stepped in as the head coach of the Indian national team, following Ravi Shastri's tenure. His first major task is leading the 'Men in Blue' during their home series against New Zealand. During a pre-series press briefing in Jaipur, Dravid explained that the team will focus on all formats equally rather than prioritizing one over the others, ensuring that their preparation remains rigorous and uncompromising.
With the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and World Test Championship approaching, Dravid noted that the management is working tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes. He brings a wealth of experience to the senior team after successful periods leading the U-19 and India-A sides. 'The Wall' further commented that the current squad hasn't reached a stage where they need to be viewed as completely different teams depending on the format.
Dravid recognized that certain players are naturally more suited to specific formats, noting that this is a standard reality in professional cricket. He believes that while his fundamental coaching principles stay the same, the approach must be tailored slightly for different team compositions. Furthermore, he admitted that it will take some time to fully understand the players' dynamics to get the most out of them.
Dravid also pointed out that the Indian team has faced an 'overdose' of cricket recently. He believes that finding a 'balancing act' will be crucial moving forward, emphasizing that the mental and physical health of the players is the top priority to ensure they are peak-fit for major championships.