Former Australian legend and former Indian coach Greg Chappell heaped praises on Rahul Dravid and said that his mentorship and ability to nurture talents has taken India to a new height. He feels that Dravid has picked the Australian brains to create a solid domestic structure which hs helped India immensely. Chappell also added the fact Australia is badly missing in this regard and has cannot call themselves as the undisputed champions of talent scouting.
"India have got their act together and that's largely because Rahul Dravid has picked our brains, seen what we're doing and replicated it in India and with their much larger (population) base," Chappell was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Chappell who is regarded as one of the finest batsmen to have ever graced the game felt that the domestic structure makes it very difficult to nurture the young talents. While Indian cricketers coming into the international circuit are already tried and tested in overseas conditions, some of the Australian guys who get picked on the basis of their Sheffield Shield record hardly get a chance to play outside Australia.
"Historically, we've been one of the best at developing young players and keeping them in the system, but I think that's changed in the last couple of years," he said.
"I'm seeing a bunch of young players with great potential who are in limbo. That's unacceptable. We cannot afford to lose one player. I think we've already lost our position as the best at identifying talent and bringing it though. I think England are doing it better than us now and India are doing it better than us,” Chappell was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
A second-string Indian side managed to stage a historic upset against Australia earlier this year. With as many as seven to eight frontline players out of the playing XI, India managed to beat Australia in their own den, also breaching the Gabba fortress in the fourth and the deciding Test. Chapell feels that it was only possible due to the grooming of the young talents.
Chappell felt that an extensive and highly effective player development system in India has meant that even the uncapped players are coming into the foray with enough international experience under their belt. Most of the players selected for the Indian senior squad has done well in the A tours which has resulted in a smooth transition to the next level.
"When you look at the Indian team that played in the Brisbane Test that had three or four fresh players, and everyone said, 'This is India's second XI' – those guys had played (extensively) for India A," said Chappell.
"And in all sorts of different conditions, not just in India. So when they get picked, they're not tyros at all, they're quite hardened international cricketers."
While the Indian players have enough experience playing across the world, young Australian talents like Will Pucovski and Cameron Green came into the series against Australia without any substantial experience outside Australia. Though it was a home series, both were tested in front of a quality Indian bowling line-up sans most of their premier fast bowlers.
"We picked Will Pucovski out of Shield cricket. Will has hardly had a game outside Australia. That's the difference." Chappell further added. He was the national talent manager in 2019 for Australia and wants a structural change in Australia’s men’s domestic schedule.