Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard is impressed with Rahul Dravid’s ability to guide the youngsters. The batting legend has been a big influence on young players in his role as a mentor with Indian Premier League teams – Rajasthan Royals earlier and now with Delhi Daredevils.
With Dravid, who coaches national youth teams India A and U19, in their ranks Delhi look a promising unit this season unlike in the past when they mostly languished in the bottom half of the standings.
With two wins from three games, Delhi pose a big challenge to defending champions Mumbai at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Saturday.
It’s quite a start for the hosts as they had affected 14 changed to last season’s squad that also left them short on experience. But Pollard believes Dravid’s presence in the dugout means youngsters are not short on inspiration.
“In Rajasthan also there was a young team and if you look at the person working behind scenes, Dravid has done a magnificent job with youngsters throughout India and they all are gravitating towards him,” Pollard said on Friday.
“Even in Delhi, youngsters are performing. They went and beat Bangalore in Bangalore. He has confidence in the youngsters and there is no better thing than going and performing out there.”
Karun Nair is one such youngster who has benefited from Dravid’s inputs at Rajasthan and Delhi. The 24-year-old is among the most promising batsmen and is quite prolific across formats. Nair hit an unbeaten 54 off 42 balls as Delhi upset Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last match.
“I have been lucky to be mentored by him (Dravid) for the past few years,” Nair said on Friday.
“For any youngster to have him in the team is an inspiration. We are just trying to make the most of him being there and getting as much out of him as possible,” he added.
