Test cricket close to both Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli’s hearts: Aakash Chopra on India coach-captain combination

Former India batter Aakash Chopra said Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli cominbation should just look to take Indian crikcet forward in the direction it was progressing, especially in Test cricket. Spaking about the much-anticipated new captain-coach combination, Chopra said Dravid commands respect in the dressing room and he will fit well in the current scheme of things in Indian Test side.

Speaking to Star Sports in its latest episode of Follow the Blues, the former India opener said both Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid prioritise Test cricket and it will augur well for Indian cricket.

Rahul Dravid will take over a hugely successful Indian Test side from Ravi Shastri, who oversaw several memorable victories, including 2 Test series wins in Australia, during his tenure as head coach. Dravid replaced Shastri, who stepped down after India’s T20 World Cup campaign.

Dravid will work with stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane in his first Test as head coach when India take on New Zealand in a series opener in Kanpur from November 25. Kohli will join the team and lead it from the 2nd Test in Mumbai as he has been rested for the opener.

“With Kohli, see the fact that Rahul Dravid he just commands respect, he doesn’t demand it. You know if Rahul is there, there is a natural feeling of respect for him because of what he has done, that’s one, and what he is as a person.

“If you talk about Test cricket, it’s very interesting that this format is very close to Rahul Dravid’s heart and the same can be said for Virat Kohli in regards to Test matches. The direction in which the Indian cricket team plays, they just have to continue going in that direction,” Chopra said.

DRAVID DOESN’T CHANGE THE SYSTEM: IRFAN PATHAN

Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan said he doesn’t forsee any problems in the Kohli-Dravid combination in Test cricket and the presence of the former India captain in the dressing room will boost the morale of the team, especially the youngsters in the side.

“This will be a new partnership between Rahul Dravid as well as Virat Kohli, the captain. Especially in the longer format, I don’t see any problem because Rahul Dravid is a kind of guy who likes to come into the system, he doesn’t change the system much. Now obviously, he’s a very technical – tactical guy but he will not disrupt, he never used to disrupt even when he was captain, he always used to help boost the confidence of the player,” Pathan said.