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Monday, 21 January 2019

Players can't abuse the system: Rahul Dravid on Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul controversy

Rahul Dravid broke his silence on the controversy surrounding Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, urging the cricket fraternity and critics not to over react.

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's fate hangs in the balance as they await an inquiry into their case (Hardik Pandya Instagram)
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's fate hangs in the balance as they await an inquiry into their case (Hardik Pandya Instagram)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Rahul Dravid urged people not to over react in the Pandya-Rahul controversy
  • The Committee of Administrators is mulling a behavioural counselling programme for the Indian team
  • Pandya and Rahul remain suspended by the BCCI after they made sexist remarks on Koffee with Karan
Former India captain Rahul Dravid is still someone who everyone in the country looks up to and is a role model for millions of people because of the way he conducts himself.
Dravid was considered a true gentleman when he was an active cricketer and remains so even after retirement. So it was only about time when his views were sought on the controversy surrounding India cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
The Wall urged people not to over react in this issue and feels that the players need to be educated on how they should conduct themselves off the field, something which he has been doing over the years as a coach at the India A and Under-19 levels.
"It is not that players did not make mistakes in the past. It is not that mistakes will not be made in the future despite our best efforts to educate the youth. But let us not over react please," Dravid told The Hindu.
"Before the last two under-19 World Cups we did have lectures on various aspects. We brought in psychologists to speak to the players. We had workshops on building roles of responsibility. These lectures are also part of the NCA already.
"We need to keep refining and keep getting better. We can only try to ensure but we are not in a position to completely take charge or be responsible for every action of the player.
"We can look to be meaningful and have an impact in grooming them at the NCA. This training has to be done at various levels, from homes to schools and then the dressing room at the state level," he added.
The BCCI's Committee of Administrators (CoA) is mulling a behavioural counselling programme for the Indian team in the wake of the furore over Rahul and Pandya's sexist comments on Koffee with Karan.
The BCCI has suspended the two cricketers and their fate will be decided by an ombudsman, which will be appointed by the Supreme Court. The programme will also include all the age-group national teams and the A squads.
Despite having a choc-a-bloc schedule, the senior team will attend a few sessions but the course will be more relevant for India's U-19 cricketers, who are being thrust into spotlight with IPL riches coming their way even before they are 20.
"Players come from different teams and their roles of responsibility need to be addressed. Issues will always be there and we have to educate and guide then. They should be told they can't abuse the system. I learnt from watching seniors in Karnataka, from parents and coaches. They were my role models. No one sat me down and gave me a lecture. I observed and learnt.
"People forget in the past also incidents have happened. Today it gets highlighted more but I agree we need to keep mentoring them, educating them because challenges today are different on and off the field.
"They have to remember their responsibilities as Indian cricketers. It can't be everything was great earlier and everything is bad today," Dravid said.

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