IND vs NZ LIVE: Rahul Dravid effect- India’s new head coach Rahul Dravid has inculcated values as the highest ideals right from his debut series. We have seen everything he touches turns to gold, now he has resumed an act of giving special importance to former cricketers. Rahul Dravid has brought back the practice of handing over debut caps by former India players as a token of thanksgiving. Follow India vs New Zealand LIVE updates on InsideSport
🎥 🎥 Congratulations to @HarshalPatel23 who is set to make his #TeamIndia debut. 👏 👏@Paytm #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/n9IIPXFJQ7
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 19, 2021
IND vs NZ LIVE: High on team culture, Rahul Dravid restarts Kumble’s practice of former players handing debut caps- Watch video
While Dravid handed the maiden cap to KKR sensation Venkatesh Iyer, Ajit Agarkar gave the India cap to Harshal Patel ahead of 2nd T20I. The latter is part of the commentary team in the ongoing series. Former India coach Anil Kumble had started that tradition during his stint with the Indian Cricket Team which faded during the Kohli-Shastri era. We had previously witnessed current players giving debut caps to debutants in the India setup.
IND vs NZ LIVE: Rahul Dravid high on team culture
“He [Rahul Dravid] is somebody who’s big on setting a good team culture and creating an atmosphere where people are thriving and trying to get better as people and cricketers. He was always a team man when he was playing and that is the kind of culture he wants to bring in here where everyone is putting the team ahead instead of personal goals, ” India vice-captain KL Rahul had said ahead of the T20I series.
On the cricket front, Harshal replaced injured Mohammad Siraj to become one of the oldest debutants in Indian Cricket history.
Oldest T20I debutants for India:
- 38y 232d Rahul Dravid
- 33y 221d Sachin Tendulkar
- 31y 177d Sreenath Aravind
- 31y 44d Stuart Binny
- 31y 39d Murali Kartik
- 30y 361d HARSHAL PATEL
From IPL 2021 Purple Cap to India T20I debut Cap: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s pacer Harshal Patel had a phenomenal outing with the ball in the recently concluded IPL edition. The RCB pacer had ended up with 32 wickets from 15 games to win the Purple Cap, he equalled Dwayne Bravo’s all-time record of most wickets in a season.
- The 31-year-old Haryana cricketer made his IPL debut in 2012
- And, it took him nine years to leave his mark at the biggest stage
- He picked up a 5-wicket haul in the IPL 2021 opener against Mumbai Indians and played an important role in RCB’s journey to the playoffs.
India pacer Harshal Patel expressed happiness after being included in the Playing XI for the clash against New Zealand in the second T20I of the three-match series on Friday.
“It’s a great feeling playing for the country. I love the game and the ultimate goal for any player is to play for the country, it’s an honour, it’s a privilege and I’m not going to take it for granted,” said Harshal Patel during the innings break.
“Rahul (Dravid) sir has always told me that once you are done with the preparations, you gotta go out there and enjoy the game. After 9-10 years of domestic cricket and on the back of a good IPL I’ve reached here, so it’s a satisfying moment for me,” he added.
Coming to the match, the Indian bowlers led by debutant Harshal (2/25) put on a brilliant display as the hosts restricted New Zealand to just 153/6.
IND vs NZ Live: Kane Williamson & Co in dual practice mode, Test practice in morning, T20 in evening
IND vs NZ LIVE: High on team culture, Rahul Dravid restarts Kumble’s practice of former players handing debut caps- Watch video
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