Former captain Rahul Dravid will have a few sessions with the Indian batsmen ahead of their first Test against England starting at Nottingham on July 9, although he has not been appointed in any capacity, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said on Sunday.
It has been learnt that skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher had approached the BCCI to have Dravid for a few interactive sessions with the young batsmen and the batting legend readily agreed to it.
"Let me clarify at the outset that Rahul Dravid has not been appointed batting consultant or in any other capacity.
Since he is a legend and has enjoyed stupendous success in England, the team management wanted the boys to interact with him before the first Test," Patel told PTI on Sunday.
"Subsequently MS and Duncan requested me to find out whether Rahul could spare some time with the boys ahead of 1st Test at Nottingham. I spoke to Rahul and he was gracious enough to agree. We want him to share his vast experience. He has had so much success in England that no one can tell the current lot better about technique and temperament than Rahul," Patel added.
Dravid has achieved huge success in England during his playing days. Six of his 36 Test hundreds came in England, where he made 1376 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 68.80. He was India's best batsman in their last tour of England in 2011, his three centuries the only bright spot in a 0-4 rout.
Asked if there could be any contractual obligations, Patel said, "Absolutely not. It's an interaction arranged on request of team management. There is no one Test or two Test thing. Rahul will be in England at that time. Also being a mentor at Rajasthan Royals, he has had a positive influence on youngsters. We hope for the same as India embark on a tough series.
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