Rahul Dravid will do an incredible job as Indian Coach: Shane Watson

The 34-year old Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson had retired from international cricket after the World T20 2016. He has been featuring in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for the franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Watson has backed batting legend Rahul Dravid to be the Indian coach. In the previous edition of IPL, Watson had played for Rajasthan Royals (RR), for which Rahul Dravid was the captain early and later on became the mentor of the side. “At the starting point, there is no doubt about the quality of person Rahul Dravid is. I was very fortunate to know him well while working with him at Rajasthan Royals (first as the captain) and (later as the) mentor and then learning about his cricketing abilities,” Watson told IANS.

“There is no doubt that he will do an incredible job if he gets the chance to coach India and also with Virat Kohli who is continuing to grow in this IPL as a leader. He is an incredible man. He has an amazing amount of experience to pass on to the youngsters,” he added.

The post of a coach for team India has been vacant for more than one year now. After the departure of Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher, Ravi Shastri had served as the director and his contract had ended by the World T20 2016. Dravid has been heavily rumored to take the job.

Watson doesn’t get many opportunities with the bat for RCB this season, but with the ball he has been extremely successful with 20 wickets from 15 games. “I am happy with whatever roles I have been assigned at the RCB. My batting hasn’t been required too much (due to the success of the top three). Virat chose me at crucial and important times and in the majority of the times it has worked and sometimes like it happens in Twenty20 cricket, it hasn’t worked out exactly according to the plans.”

“But I have contributed pretty well in a lot of the games while bowling. I feel great responsibility with Virat calling me to bowl those (crucial) overs. And with my experience, I try to do the best possible job,” he added.

Even after the retirement from the international arena, he still feels that he had a lot of cricket left in him. “I feel I still have got a few years of playing, especially these Twenty20 tournaments throughout the world. I would like to play IPL a few more years — I have always had incredible time over here. I could have played a few more years of international cricket but I have decided to do some off-field initiatives. There are a lot of downtime after the T20 tournament and in this period I would like to study physical education, children education from (learning) the coaching point of view.” said Watson.

“That’s why I always say that education is extremely important and a kid, whatever he does (play any sport), should study — that will help him take the right decisions at the right time and also help in the post-retirement careers,” Watson concluded by leaving a message for the youngsters.