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Rahul Dravid joins Laureus World Sports Academy
Former India cricket captain & Legend Rahul Dravid has been elected as the the 47th member of the panel of Laureus World Sports Academy, becoming the newest member .
Dravid, arguably the best India batsmen in Test cricket, was at a school on Wednesday in London, meeting young coaches who are trained with support from the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
Dravid said: "It is a great privilege to be invited to join the Academy and I look forward to supporting the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. I am truly honoured to be recognised alongside some of the greatest sportsmen and women we have ever seen.
"Sport has given me so much, and it is wonderful to now have the opportunity to make a difference in other people's lives."
Steve Waugh, who retired in January 2004, as the greatest test captain with 41 wins from 57 matches, welcomed Dravid by saying "On behalf of all the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy I would like to welcome Rahul. He achieved amazing success in an illustrious career. He was so pugnacious and determined when he was at the crease, he could have been an Aussie."
Sir Ian Botham was not able to make it through to London, but said: "Rahul had an incredible temperament and was a run-making machine. He was immovable and could stay there for hours. No wonder they called him 'The Wall'.
"I am delighted that he will be joining us in the Laureus Academy. I look forward to welcoming him."
In the 2011 tour of England, when India were thumped 4-0 by England, Dravid was the only standout batsman.
In the 2011 tour of England, when India were thumped 4-0 by England, Dravid was the only standout batsman.
Alastair Cook eyes India series for Much-Needed Runs
India's tour of England 2014
Alastair Cook says his England captaincy should not be blamed for his poor form with the bat & he will lead from the front when the five-match Test series against India begins at Nottingham on Wednesday, 9th July.
Cook has not scored a Test ton in 24 innings since his 130 against NZ at Headingley in May 2013 and scoring just 78 runs in 4 innings against SL last month.
But he told a news conference on Tuesday that he does not feel out of form, despite coming under pressure not just for his scarcity of runs but also a lack of attacking instinct as captain.
"I never have felt that I've been hitting the ball particularly badly this summer - I scored some runs for Essex at the beginning of the season and I haven't managed to transform that into runs for England," he said.
"I know how important it is at the top of the order to do that and I'm desperately keen to lead from the front and score some runs.
"As a batter especially, you're in there because you are one of the top 6 batters in the country and your job is to score the runs to set up the game for England. Doesn't matter if you're captain or not.
"I haven't been doing that over the last year or so, and no-one's keener than me to put that right," he added. "I know I've got to score runs at the top of the order in this series."
Cook did not think leading the team had interfered with his job of laying a strong platform for England's middle order, his side failing to register a win in their past 8 Tests & slump to series defeat to Aussies & SL.
Rahul Dravid has been asked to mentor the younger players as they look to win their 1st Test overseas since 2011.
"We wanted a mentor with the side who can talk about his past experience, a lot of stuff but not just talking about technical things," wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni told reporters.
"A lot of it is [Dravid] interacting with the youngsters, & they are comfortable talking to him.
"We noticed that in South Africa. He was part of the commentary team and they'd go up to him and approach him, have a chat whether it's cricket or something else."
