In an unexpected turn of events before the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test between India and South Africa in Centurion, India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, took cricket enthusiasts by surprise. The delay in the toss and the start of play, caused by earlier rain, didn’t dampen the spirits as Dravid, known for his batting prowess, showcased his medium-pace bowling skills, accompanied by none other than Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
The SuperSport Park, bearing patches of water due to rain, set the stage for an unusual spectacle as Dravid rolled his arms over. The crowd responded with cheers, appreciating the rare sight of one of India’s greatest batters trying his hand at bowling.
Notably, Dravid, who secured five wickets during his 16-year-long India career, earned them all with his right-arm spin. The unexpected visuals of Dravid bowling garnered surprise from many, including former India teammate Sanjay Bangar.
On a lighter note, Bangar commented, “Well, he did most of the things that were asked of him from a player point of view – opened the batting, batted at 3,5,6, kept wicket. So this is something that I am surprised with. I have never seen Rahul Dravid do this. But it’s always good because as coaches you do things that you aren’t used to, so to see. And there’s nothing wrong with his action; he seems pretty aligned and just has to add a little bit of pace. Otherwise, he looks pretty alright.”
However, amidst the light-hearted moment, Dravid hinted at the debut of Prasidh Krishna, later confirmed as the 27-year-old received his Test cap from Jasprit Bumrah. With Mohammed Shami unavailable, Prasidh is expected to join Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj as the third pacer.
Reflecting on the team’s strategy, Dravid emphasized the importance of getting the details right against a formidable team like South Africa. He acknowledged Prasidh’s promising potential and expressed hope for a successful debut.
As the cricketing world awaits the outcome of this high-profile series, the unexpected warm-up act by Coach Dravid added a touch of excitement to the prelude of the Boxing Day Test.
