First Time I Interacted With Rahul Dravid, I Was Actually Kind Of Very Nervous - Rohit Sharma Recalls 2007 Meeting

India’s new T20I skipper Rohit Sharma recalled his very first meeting with the newly-appointed Team India head coach, Rahul Dravid. The duo met back in 2007 at a camp in Bangalore, as Rohit revealed.

The upcoming series against New Zealand will signal the beginning of a new era in T20Is under Rohit and Dravid. This is the first time the two cricketers are working in a professional capacity. Ahead of the series, Rohit opened up about his nervous encounter with Dravid.

“It was way back in 2007 when I was selected but the first time I had the opportunity to interact with him was in Bangalore at a camp. It was a very brief chat and I was actually kind of very nervous and I never used to talk so much even with people my age group so leave alone these guys at that point.“

“So I was just quietly doing my things and getting a move on with my game. But yeah, in Ireland, the first time when he came and told me that you will be playing this game, I was on the moon. That obviously felt like a dream to be part of the dressing room. It’s been a long way since then. I have cherished all the moments that I’ve spent playing for India and also for my franchise, Mumbai Indians. And we look forward to many more,” Rohit was quoted as saying.

“I think we just need to set the template right” – Rohit Sharma on the way forward in T20Is

Speaking about the path that India will choose in the shortest format of the game, Rohit Sharma said that it will not try to follow other teams’ templates but instead find one that suits the Men in Blue the most.

“I think the template, it’s a very important one. I think we just need to set the template right and we’ve got some time to do that. India has been brilliant in this particular format, it’s just that we haven’t won the ICC tournament. But we played well as a team and we’ve performed well as a team.“

“There are little holes that we need to fill up and make sure that is looked after. That will be the biggest challenge that we’ll have as it team to do that. There are holes in every team, but it’s just that, you know, you try and maximise that, the better for you. So I’m not going to say that we want to follow certain team’s templates, we just have to follow and create our own template and what is best for our team, and what is right for our team,” Rohit added.

India takes on New Zealand in a 3-match T20I series that begins on November 17. It will be followed by a 2-match Test series which will be part of the WTC 2021-23.

Also Read – I Understand The Importance Of A Bowling All-rounder But Keeping One Particular Spot In Focus Is Not The Way Forward – Rohit Sharma