One Champions Trophy crown and a T20 World Cup triumph later, Indian cricket still doesn’t quite feel the same as it did during the Rahul Dravid regime. That side managed to claim one major ICC trophy—the 2024 T20 World Cup—while falling short in two other high-stakes finals, yet the 28-month stretch remains among the most fondly remembered phases in recent memory. The reason many supporters look back with affection is simple: the group felt unified, decisions were communicated clearly, and there was a level of openness that seemed to bind the environment together. Those ingredients, however, appear harder to find in the current setup.
Gautam Gambhir’s work as India’s white-ball coach has been widely considered impressive, with his stint in ICC events described as near-flawless, boasting a zero percent failure rate. Still, the coaching tenure has been marred by reports of a strained relationship with Virat Kohli, leaving a sour aftertaste. It is worth noting that nothing has been formally confirmed on the record about the Kohli–Gambhir equation. But after Kohli’s sharp comments during an RCB podcast appearance, the sense of a communication breakdown has effectively become impossible to ignore.
As India moved from Ravi Shastri to Dravid, and then from Rohit Sharma’s all-format captaincy transition following Kohli’s era, the change in direction under Dravid was widely viewed as both smooth and reassuring. One example often cited is the way Wriddhiman Saha’s exit from the Test setup was handled. The wicketkeeper-batter’s departure from the longest format was managed with considerable professionalism, signaling clearly that he no longer matched India’s evolving Test plans.
When Dravid took over and, later, Rohit assumed the role of all-format captain after Kohli’s captaincy period, it was not as if every element instantly aligned. Yet the key difference was that Dravid accepted the responsibility of guiding the transition and ensuring the programme ran properly—without letting the broader structure wobble.
Paras Mhambrey, who was part of the India coaching staff during the Dravid cycle and previously served as the bowling coach, highlighted why Dravid’s approach stood out. “The head coach played a big role, and the credit should go to Rahul Dravid. He was very clear, open, and honest in his communication. It’s very important to handle the responsibility, and Rahul did that brilliantly. He was very honest with Virat, and sometimes honest conversations are tough conversations, but you have to have it,” Mhambrey said on The Hook podcast.
Mhambrey also explained how communication flowed within the leadership group. “Rahul had those conversations with Virat. We shared the plans. It’s not like Rohit was the only one informed. Virat was equally informed. Virat may not have attended all meetings, but whatever discussion we had with Rohit, they were conveyed to Virat. He was never kept out of anything. That’s why everything was so smooth, and there appeared a camaraderie.”
What made Dravid an excellent coach
Indian cricket doesn’t often see elite players evolve into top-tier coaches, and Rahul Dravid is a rare exception. Kapil Dev is another name remembered for making that transition successfully. After Shastri’s departure, with the standards already set high, Dravid faced a genuine test. He was not a newcomer to the system either; before becoming head coach, he had overseen the development pathway through India A and the Under-19 structure.
As someone who had also experienced the roller-coaster nature of Indian cricket during Greg Chappell’s turbulent period, Dravid understood the challenges from the inside. So, when he stepped into the top job, The Wall knew what needed to be done—and just as importantly, what had to be avoided.
“Rahul was a great player, right? But it’s important to understand that as a player and coach, you have to be different. It’s a line that you need to understand. As a player, you’re always in the front, but once you become a coach, you then say, ‘I need to be behind. You never saw Dravid in the limelight. He understands because he has been a player himself. He understood what problems a player can face,” Mhambrey added.
Mhambrey went on to describe how Dravid’s temperament shaped the environment around the team. “If you have a coach who’s in your face all the time, how can the atmosphere not be impacted? He understood that really well. It’s not easy. Sometimes the ego comes in, but Rahul was nice, took a back seat, and gave Rohit an opportunity. Rahul also had disagreements, but he put his point across with a lot of faith. But after that, you allow the captain to take over. Then it becomes complex. We had tough conversations, but sometimes you also need to challenge your ideas and views.”
