BCCI President Sourav Ganguly Lauds Rahul Dravid For Developing Youngsters At The NCA

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President and former India captain, Sourav Ganguly is in all praise of his former teammate and another legendary cricketer, Rahul Dravid for his role in nurturing youngsters and the fringe players at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

After retiring from cricket, Dravid has been heavily involved in the development of cricket and cricketers at the domestic level, and the under-19 – he coached the Prithvi Shaw-led side to the 2018 Under-19 World Cup – and then as a head at the NCA where players come for rehab and improvement.

Sourav Ganguly cited the most recent example of Dravid’s good work: the Indian team won the Test series in Australia despite a spate of injuries and several first-choice players not available. Only Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane played all 4 Tests as several youngsters and inexperienced players stepped up for India to register a historic heist.

“I always say that Rahul Dravid has done a great job at the NCA (in Bangalore) as he looks after the second-string players. Mohammed Siraj, you know I see a lot of talent in him, Shardul Thakur every time they have got opportunities they have just stood up,” Sourav Ganguly told Sports Today.

“We spoke about Bumrah for all of last year, but India wins without him as well. In Australia, the last Test match, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, no Ishant Sharma in the squad, and you beat Australia in Australia. That’s remarkable,” he added.

Sourav Ganguly confirms the WTC final to be moved from Lord’s to Southampton

While it all but confirmed that the World Test Championship final, to be played between India and New Zealand from June 18th to 22th, will be moved out of Lord’s due to the covid challenges – but it is not certain where it will be hosted.

However, Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI boss himself, has announced that the Ageas Bowl in Southampton will host the marquee clash. He points out that a hotel is adjacent to the ground making it the easiest accessible option to keep the teams in the bio-bubble; England hosted West Indies and Pakistan in Southampton when cricket resumed in the pandemic era.

“I’m looking forward to attending the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton.

“Yeah, it is in Southampton. It was decided long time ago. Due to Covid and they [in Southampton] have the hotel absolutely close. When England resumed play after Covid, they had a lot of matches in Southampton and Manchester due to the same reason,” Sourav Ganguly further revealed.

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