Rahul Dravid doesn’t deserve to be T20 coach: Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has injected a bold perspective into the cricketing discourse, suggesting that India's T20I fortunes could potentially be revitalized by reconsidering the role of Rahul Dravid as the head coach. 

Kaneria contends that the pace and demands of the T20 format aren't optimally suited to Dravid's measured approach, thereby advocating for the inclusion of Ashish Nehra in the coaching fold. Nehra's proven success, particularly in tandem with Hardik Pandya during their time with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), becomes a cornerstone of Kaneria's assertion.

One pivotal facet that Kaneria underscores is Nehra's proactive engagement during IPL battles, where he assumes the mantle of constant communication with players. This interactive methodology forms the crux of Kaneria's argument as he asserted on his YouTube channel.

Rahul Dravid is very slow, says Danish Kaneria 

“Why is this Indian team not showing enough intent? Hardik Pandya has achieved a lot of success with Gujarat Titans because of Ashish Nehra's presence. India must show more intent in T20Is, and a coach plays a big role in that. Rahul Dravid, no doubt, was a world-class player, but Dravid doesn't deserve to be a coach in T20s. He is very slow. On the other hand, you see Ashish Nehra constantly do something and pass on messages in the field. I think he should get an opportunity,” said Kaneria.

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Kaneria's insights find resonance in the aftermath of India's successive setbacks in the ongoing five-match T20I series against West Indies. The upcoming third fixture now assumes an even more critical stature for Hardik Pandya and his unit, as they seek to arrest the momentum and salvage their campaign.

Rahul Dravid

Photo by Wikipedia commons

Kaneria doesn't confine his observations solely to the coaching domain; he extends his scrutiny to players like Sanju Samson. The former spinner has consistently advocated for Samson's inclusion, emphasizing the importance of affording him consistent opportunities to prove his mettle.

Danish Kaneria lashes out at Sanju Samson's inconsistency

“India rested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to give others a chance, addressing concerns about limited opportunities. However, after getting chances, when will you score runs, Sanju Samson? He has had enough chances. I have supported him and advocated for consistent opportunities, but he hasn't made the most of them,” Kaneria expressed his sentiment on Samson's journey and performance.

The former Pakistani spinner's commentary pertains to the complex realm of player development, where potential and performance must find harmonious convergence. Samson's promising innings of 51 runs during the ODI series decider against West Indies showcased his capabilities on the grand stage. However, this promise was accompanied by inconsistency, as his contributions in the subsequent T20Is stood at modest scores of 12 and 7.

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The ongoing discourse ignited by Kaneria resonates with cricket enthusiasts and experts alike, as it delves into the nuanced layers of team dynamics and strategic leadership. While Dravid's illustrious cricketing journey is a tapestry of excellence, Kaneria's conjecture stems from a belief that different formats may necessitate distinct coaching approaches. The imperative lies in aligning the essence of coaching with the rapid tempo and tactical dimensions inherent in the T20 format.

As the series unfolds, and the cricketing fraternity anticipates each development, the impact of coaching decisions, player performance, and the synergy between them becomes increasingly evident. Danish Kaneria injects fresh perspectives, stimulating conversations that enrich the narrative and offer a multifaceted understanding of the game.

Prasenjit DeyPrasenjit Dey

Prasenjit Dey is an independent cricket journalist with Bylines across reputed publications like Cricbuzz, The Hindu, The Cricketer, Fancode, and The Quint Among Others. He has an experience of eight years in the field and is a valuable addition to the Cricnerds team. You can follow him on Twitter @CricPrasen.

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