Rahul Dravid makes competitive cricket comeback ahead of IPL 2025
Published - 22 Feb 2025, 04:49 PM | Updated - 22 Feb 2025, 11:40 PM
Former Indian batter Rahul Dravid demonstrated his love for cricket in a third-division club match. The former India head coach returned to competitive cricket by playing alongside his 16-year-old son, Anvay Dravid, in the 2024-25 Sri Nassur Memorial Shield for Group I-III Division tournament.
Rahul's last assignment was as India's head coach after their T20 World Cup triumph, co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA in June last year. Dravid is set to take on a new coaching role with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the IPL 2025 season, where he will work alongside Kumar Sangakkara.
Rahul Dravid Makes a Return to Bat for Third-Division Club Alongside His Son
Rahul Dravid and his 16-year-old son, Anvay, played together for Vijaya Cricket Club (Malur) in the Sri Nassur Memorial Shield 3rd division tournament. Facing Young Lions Club at the SLS Kreedangana ground, their team was sent in to bat after losing the toss.
Anvay scored 58 runs off 60 balls, including eight boundaries. Dravid, coming in at No. 6, managed only 10 runs from eight balls, including a four, before being dismissed by AR Ullas. The father-son partnership lasted just 15 balls, adding 17 runs.
Dravid's teammate Swapnil Yelave stole the show with a century, scoring 107 off 50 deliveries. Vijaya Cricket Club finished with a strong total of 345/7 in their 50 overs. Dravid’s participation caught the eye of cricket fans.
Rahul Dravid's Sons Have Been Impressive in Domestic Cricket
Rahul Dravid’s presence in the dressing room is expected to inspire the young players around him. His sons, Anvay and Samit, have followed cricket and performed well in their age categories.
Anvay, a wicketkeeper-batter, was Karnataka’s top scorer in the 2023-24 Vijay Merchant Trophy, scoring 357 runs in five games at an average of 45, with four half-centuries in the under-16 tournament. He was also the leading run-scorer in the under-14 state league while representing Vijaya Cricket Club.
Samit, the elder brother, has played for Karnataka in various age-group tournaments. He performed well in the Cooch Behar Trophy last year, scoring 362 runs in eight matches and taking 16 wickets to help Karnataka win the title.
In September, he was named in India’s Under-19 squad for a series against Australia but missed the entire tournament due to a knee injury.
Rahul Dravid's Illustrious International Career and Coaching Legacy
Rahul Dravid had an illustrious international career for India from 1996 to 2011. The right-handed batter scored over 10,000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket, a feat achieved by only one other Indian batsman.
After his retirement, Dravid turned to commentary and coaching. He coached India’s junior teams for nearly four years before taking charge as the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). From 2021 to 2024, he coached the Indian team.
In the IPL, Dravid coached Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2014 and 2015 before moving to Delhi Capitals (DC). Dravid has returned to RR as head coach for the 2025 season. The franchise is hoping to win their first IPL title since 2008.
