Rahul Dravid to offer batting tips to Team India against England

New Delhi: Former captain Rahul Dravid will have a few sessions with the Indian batsmen ahead of their first Test against England starting at Nottingham on July 9, although he has not been appointed in any capacity, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said yesterday. It has been learnt that skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher had approached the BCCI to have Dravid for a few interactive sessions with the young batsmen and the batting legend readily agreed to it.

Rahul Dravid plays a shot against England during the first Test at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on July 23, 2011. Pic/Getty Images

"Let me clarify at the outset that Rahul Dravid 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," Patel told PTI. "Subsequently MS and Duncan requested me to find out whether Rahul could spare some time with the boys ahead of first Test at Nottingham. I spoke to Rahul and he was gracious enough to agree. We want him to share his vast experience.

Great success
He has had so much success in England that no one can tell the current lot better about technique and temperament than Rahul," Patel added. Dravid has achieved huge success in England during his playing days. Six of his 36 Test hundreds came in England, where he made 1376 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 68.80. He was India's best batsman in their last tour of England in 2011, his three centuries the only bright spot in a 0-4 rout.

Rahul Dravid

Asked if there could be any contractual obligations, Patel said, "Absolutely not. It's an interaction arranged on request of team management. There is no one Test or two Test thing. Rahul will be in England at that time. Also being a mentor at Rajasthan Royals, he has had a positive influence on youngsters. We hope for the same as India embark on a tough series," Patel added.