New Delhi: Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has reignited debate around “superstar culture” in Indian cricket after defending the importance of iconic players in inspiring future generations. His remarks come at a time when current head coach Gautam Gambhir has repeatedly spoken about reducing the influence of individual stardom within the national team setup.
Speaking on a cricket podcast, Dravid said every sport requires heroes and legends who capture the imagination of fans through consistent performances and contributions to team success. He stressed that becoming a superstar in a country like India is not easy due to the immense scrutiny and pressure players face throughout their careers.
According to Dravid, players earn legendary status only after proving themselves repeatedly on the field and helping their teams achieve success. He added that such personalities play a major role in growing the sport and motivating younger athletes to dream bigger.
The former coach also reflected on India’s recent struggles in Test cricket, admitting that the team is still adjusting to the retirement of experienced players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. He acknowledged that replacing cricketers of such stature is never easy and said the transition period may take time before the team regains consistency in the longer format.
Despite recent setbacks, Dravid expressed confidence in the strength of Indian cricket and backed the team to remain competitive across all formats. He said the desire to succeed in Test cricket continues to exist strongly among modern players, even as the packed international calendar creates fresh challenges.
Dravid also pointed out that today’s cricketers have to constantly switch between red ball and white ball formats, leaving them with limited preparation time for Test series compared to previous generations. He noted that while players remain committed to red ball cricket, balancing multiple formats in the modern era has become increasingly demanding.
