Senior Dravid warns Samit about 'outside noise', reveals the coach

Having a famous surname can often lead to added pressure, but Samit Dravid, the son of legendary Indian captain Rahul Dravid, has embraced it over the years. His perseverance and ability to handle expectations have finally borne fruit as he secured his maiden call-up to the India U-19 team for a multi-format series at home against Australia. The series is set to be held in September and October 2024.

Samit, a fast-bowling all-rounder, has shown consistent progress in his cricketing journey and is currently playing in the Maharaja T20 Trophy for the Mysuru Warriors. Although he has scored 82 runs in seven innings with a strike rate of 114, his bowling has not yet been fully utilized in the tournament. However, his standout performance in the Cooch Behar Trophy earlier this year — where he scored 362 runs and claimed 16 wickets in eight matches for Karnataka — was a decisive factor in his India selection.

Handling the pressure of a famous surname

Speaking to the Indian Express following the BCCI's announcement, Samit’s childhood coach Karthik Jeshwanth shed light on how the young cricketer has managed the weight of expectations associated with his famous surname. Both Jeshwanth and Rahul Dravid have continually emphasized to Samit that his success would be determined solely by his performance, not his lineage. They taught him how to block out external noise and focus on his own game, a lesson that has been instrumental in his steady progress. “Samit has grown up knowing what his father’s stature is and knows that there is going to be a lot of pressure. So that’s what Rahul and myself have been telling him, not to be bothered about any outside noise or attention. He will be judged on his own skills and what he does on the field. He has to learn to live with the attention without it affecting his batting," he said.

Despite being the son of one of India's most revered cricketers, Samit has carved his own path. Jeshwanth recalls how Samit’s calm demeanor and hard work have helped him evolve into the cricketer he is today.

Aggressive play and ‘Wow’ shots in his arsenal

One of the defining aspects of Samit’s game is his aggressive batting style, a trait that caught the eye of his coach at Mysore Warriors, RX Murali. Murali, who has mentored Indian stars like Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul, was impressed with Samit’s balanced temperament and down-to-earth nature. Although his technique carries traces of his father’s style, including the iconic front-foot defense and square cut, Samit has developed his own aggressive flair with some "wow" shots in his arsenal.

Murali’s first impression of Samit was not just of a technically sound cricketer but one with a knack for explosive batting when needed. His approach on the field has even earned admiration from teammates, who often express their amazement at his ability to combine aggression with calmness.

“It’s the way his hands move through the line of the ball that stood out for me. His head and feet position, too. He is very aggressive and brave in his mind-set. It’s the approach that had his team-mates here go ‘wow’ at some of his shots. He has quite a few shots actually beyond the clips you might have all seen — the cover drive where he leans well into the shot, the straight drive, the pull of course and the ability to hit the lofted shots. To turn the conventional shots into aerial, like the inside-out aerial cover drive," he said.

"First of all, I am very happy to be selected and thank you for all your wishes. I think I am feeling great, I worked very hard for this moment," said Samit after getting the oppertunity, in a video shared by Star Sports Kannada on X. 

ಭಾರತ U19 ತಂಡಕ್ಕೆ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾದ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳನ್ನು ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ ಸಮಿತ್ ದ್ರಾವಿಡ್‌! ♥️💛

ಆಲ್ ದಿ ಬೆಸ್ಟ್‌. 🥳💐#SamitDravid #TeamIndiaU19 #StarSportsKannada pic.twitter.com/XnKB5sFZam

— Star Sports Kannada (@StarSportsKan) August 31, 2024

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Samit’s journey is still in its early stages, but with a solid foundation laid by his father’s advice and the guidance of coaches like Murali, his potential is undeniable. The upcoming India U-19 series against Australia will be the perfect platform for Samit to showcase his talent and prove that he is more than just a famous surname.