Rahul Dravid came up to me and said that this kid has a bright future: KL Rahul's childhood coach

KL Rahul is one of the most talented batsmen in Indian cricket now. His childhood coach recently recalled a story which tells us that former Indian batsman Rahul Dravid had predicted quite a few years ago that the young batsman will go on to great things. Recently, Rahul’s childhood coach Jayaraj opened up about the time when he was still playing U13 cricket in Bengaluru.

The coach revealed that it was during a time when KL had just got two consecutive double tons in a U-13 tournament. One of those knocks had been played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Luckily, that knock collided with Dravid’s endurance training at the stadium. His childhood coach says that he told Rahul to watch the Indian legend practise in the nets. The 11-year-old KL was told to follow Dravid’s technique and he did accordingly.

KL Rahul’s childhood coach shares a memorable instance

“I remember KL got back-to-back double centuries in an Under-13 tournament. He first scored a double hundred at the NRA ground and then scored another double hundred at Chinnaswamy stadium. At the same time, Dravid was undergoing endurance training,” Rahul’s childhood coach Jayaraj told the Times of India.

“When Dravid padded up for a net session. I asked KL to sit at the boundary ropes and watch him. I told him to watch his technique and batting style,” Jayaraj continued.

Recalling the time, the coach revealed that after a week, the Indian Test great then walked up to him and talked about KL’s ability. Dravid apparently told Jayaraj that KL has a good future ahead and needs to be taken care off. The coach also revealed that Dravid spoke to young Rahul at the time and gave him tips about his batting, which KL still remembers fondly.

“I did the same for at least a week. Rahul used to watch Dravid carefully,” he said. “After finishing one net session, Dravid came and said, ‘I watched this kid’s batting (double centuries). He played wonderfully. He has a future, please take care of him,” Jayaraj said.

“I didn’t know a player like Dravid would have so much observation about a kid. I requested him if he can speak with Rahul for some time. Rahul was so happy to meet him. He (Dravid) spoke with Rahul and gave him a pep talk. Rahul still remembers that conversation,” he added.

KL Rahul has played 36 Tests and 32 ODIs for India along with 42 T20Is. The Karnataka batsman averages 34.6, 47.6 and 45.6 in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.