Data Should Drive Good Contest Between Bat And Ball In Cricket; Not Just For Hitting Fours And Sixes, Says Rahul Dravid

Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid stressed that data should be used in cricket for driving a good contest and not just for hitting fours and sixes. The former Indian captain Rahul Dravid was part of a panel that discussed the role of technology and data in cricket. During the panel discussion, Dravid asserted that data should have a bigger role in cricket and should be used to improve the game of cricket.

Along with Rahul Dravid, former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten and England woman cricketer Isha Guha were also part of the panel. Technology and data have a crucial role in the game of cricket. However, over the past few years, there has been a debate whether cricket has become more batsman-friendly, especially in ODIs. Rules such as powerplay overs and the use of two new balls in both innings have given a great advantage to batsmen in ODI cricket.

Data Should Drive Good Contest With Bat And Ball, Says Rahul Dravid

During the panel discussion, the 48-year-old veteran cricketer Rahul Dravid said that data should play a larger role and focus on bringing a good contest with the bat and ball.

“Data should drive a good contest between bat and ball in cricket, not just for hitting fours and sixes. Cricket has always been statistically-driven like baseball, but over the past 15 years we have moved beyond comparing averages and now use data to help in strategy and player selection,” Dravid said.

Rahul Dravid also pointed out that the proper use of data is important or it will hamper players’ attitude towards the game in the future. “The days are not far off when people are going to turn down a single because the matchup suites them to be able to hit a six in the two or three balls,” Dravid further said during the panel discussion.

Dravid played for India from 1996 to 2012. Nicknamed as ‘The Wall’, Dravid is among the best Test batsmen India has ever seen. He was a brilliant middle-order batsman for India during his career. He also led the Indian team in ODIs and Tests. In 2019, BCCI appointed Rahul Dravid as the Head of the National Cricket Academy.