However, things have changed for the better for the Men in Blue now.
The most remarkable trait about Virat Kohli’s world-beating side is the huge pool of up-and-coming talent across the country its privy to, and the subsequent number of backup players that are ready at all times to fill-in for injured first-choice cricketers.
The man behind this enhancing rejuvenation of the senior team is none other than Rahul Dravid, the current head coach of the India-A and India U-19 sides. Not only have the two squads tasted immense success under him, but a considerable number of players from within have gotten the required amount of exposure and match practice to inculcate skills like match-awareness and professionalism very early in their careers.
Speaking to Michael Atherton in an interview, Dravid, true to his humble self, credited the board administrators and the improved facilities across the country for the generation of this massive talent pool.
He also labelled the diversification of selection in terms of geographical demographics as another factor leading to the strengthening of Indian cricket.
The importance of the senior-team players was not left out by the man, who himself has played a huge role in inspiring budding cricketers across the country for over two decades now.
He recognized the contribution of the someone like MS Dhoni, who has come from a relatively small town and made it big in the intimidating world of professional sport, going on to become one of the greatest Indian icons of the 21st century.
Lastly, one of the most crucial factors behind this resurgence-the emergence of rookie cricketers getting more and more opportunities in the IPL-was not left unnoticed by Dravid, particularly citing the example of Mayank Markande, who was selected by Mumbai Indians out of the wilderness, as he was not playing state cricket at that time.
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