If they are eligible, players should play senior-level cricket instead of returning to Under 19, says Rahul Dravid

India U-19 coach Rahul Dravid stated that he would prefer not to call back players for the next Under-19 World Cup. While stating that it was only his personal opinion, Dravid said that if the players who recently won the ICC U-19 World Cup are ready to play senior-level cricket, they should be playing there instead of returning to the team for another tournament. “My view is that once they are good enough, they can play first class or under 19 cricket,” Dravid said in a press conference in Mumbai after the Indian contingent arrived from New Zealand after their successful Under-19 World Cup campaign.

Dravid said that there were a few players who had played in the previous World Cup and were still eligible for the team but it was decided not to play them as they had enjoyed success at the senior domestic level and some, such as Washington Sundar, even making international debuts. “There were a few from the last team who were eligible for this year but we did not take them because we felt it is better they go to under 23 cricket and so on,” he said, “My wish is for them to play at Ranji Trophy level instead of coming back to Under-19 Cricket.” He also stated that some players may benefit from returning to this level too and decisions will be made in due course.

Dravid said that he fails to understand all the hype surrounding him finally winning a World Cup. “Not lifting the world cup is not a pain for me anymore. My cricket career is over, it is a long time back. I have had disappointments in my career not just not lifting world cup. I am more happy for these boys. As a coach there are only so much we can do, at the end of the day, as a coach, you are dependent on the execution of the players. We are very realistic about our impact. Credit goes to these players. They are the ones who have put in the hours. Credit goes to them completely.”

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