U-19 World Cup: Rahul Dravid's 89.3% win record as coach proves India's future in secure hands

Since 2015, when former Indian captain Rahul Dravid took over the charge to coach the Indian colts, the U-19 team has been registering victories in almost all of their matches they are playing at home or even on foreign soil.

Ahead of their first battle against Bangladesh in 2015, coach Rahul Dravid made it clear that results don’t matter at this stage and it’s the process which is important.

Under his mentorship, many players like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Zeeshan Ansari, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Washington Sundar among others have emerged stronger and are now looking to make it a big with their presence in the national side.

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Coming January 13, Prithvi Shaw-led U-19 team will be hoping to start World Cup with a win and their penultimate goal will be to lift the trophy, which they failed to grab it in 2016 after they lost to West Indies in the final.

The discipline, fitness and the focus, Rahul Dravid is passing on to young clots, will be the key for their success in the upcoming major tournament.

Impressed with Dravid’s incredible work in shaping U-19 Indian colts, Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has opined that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should also appoint a coach similar to Dravid’s stature for their junior team.

Raza said, “I think the PCB should also consider appointing a former Test player who is well reputed and respected with the national junior team just like India has done in the case of Rahul Dravid (India U-19 and A coach).”

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He added: “I don’t think winning is as important as recognising individuals who are talented and then educating and grooming them. India will benefit from the presence of someone like Rahul Dravid who is a role model for youngsters.”

With about 89.3% winning record as a coach, Rahul Dravid is ensuring that India’s future is in safe hands.

India’s U-19 team record under Rahul Dravid (Year Wise) – 2015

 

(SOURCE: ESPNCRICINFO)

In 2016,

DATE	MATCH	WINNER
Jan 28, 2016	India U19 vs Ireland U19	India U19
Jan 30, 2016	NZ U19 vs India U19	India U19
Feb 1, 2016	India U19 vs Nepal U19	India U19
Feb 6, 2016	India U19 vs Nambia U19	India U19
Feb 9, 2016	India U19 vs Sri Lanka U19	India U19
Feb 14, 2016	India U19 vs West Indies U19	West Indies U19
Dec 18, 2016	Sri Lanka U19 vs India U19	India U19
Dec 23, 2016	Sri Lanka U19 vs India U19	India U19

(SOURCE: ESPNCRICINFO)

2017,

DATE	MATCH	RSEULT
Jan 30, 2017	India U19 vs England U19	England U19
Feb 1, 2017	India U19 vs England U19	India U19
Feb 3, 2017	India U19 vs England U19	India U19
Feb 6, 2017	India U19 vs England U19	India U19
Feb 8, 2017	India U19 vs England U19	Tied
Aug 7, 2017	England U19 vs India U19	India U19
Aug 9, 2017	England U19 vs India U19	India U19
Aug 12, 2017	England U19 vs India U19	India U19
Aug 14, 2017	England U19 vs India U19	India U19
Aug 16, 2017	England U19 vs India U19	India U19
Nov 10, 2017	Malaysia U19 vs India U19	India U19
Nov 12, 2017	India U19 vs Nepal U19	Nepal U19
Nov 14, 2017	Bangladesh U19 vs India U19	Bangladesh U19

(SOURCE: ESPNCRICINFO, CRICBUZZ)

After playing two warm-up games, India’s U-19 team will start their World Cup campaign against Australia on January 14, 2018. They will next face Papua New Guinea U19 on January 16 and Zimbabwe U19 on January 19.