The Indian batting line-up, always considered suspect in the seaming conditions, has received a boost with the news that one of their best-ever performers in England, Rahul Dravid, has been appointed as consultant to the team ahead of their upcoming tour.
The former India skipper was approached on coach Duncan Fletcher’s request, and the legendary batsman readily agreed.
“It was the coach (Fletcher) who approached us on behalf of the team and said it would be good to have Rahul with his vast experience spend some time with the boys ahead of the series,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel told ESPNcricinfo. “We immediately requested Rahul and he readily agreed.”
Patel later denied earlier reports that Dravid was being appointed the batting consultant for the tour.
Patel said: “Let me clarify at the outset that Rahul 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.
“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.”
Dravid scored 1,376 runs at an average of 68.80 in Test matches in England.
He has hit six centuries there, including three in his last four Test matches.