Former India captain Rahul Dravid believed that extra parental attention plays as big a part as wealth in a young cricketer feeling entitled, ESPNCricinfo reported.
Dravid’s comments came in the wake of controversy surrounding the sexist remarks made by Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, who were suspended by the Committee of Administrators, and subsequently had their provisional suspensions lifted.
Dravid refused to agree when suggested that perhaps big money influences a player’s character. “I don’t like to equate entitlement with wealth,” Dravid said. “Yes, it can come with wealth, but I don’t think that is the only factor. It can happen from a young age. Sometimes in a lower-income family they see one of the kids is special in cricket so the entire energy of the family is focused towards him or her.”
“If everything is sacrificed for that one person, then sometimes that can lead to a sense of entitlement as well. If that starts at a very young age, the kid could feel, ‘I am special and it is all about me,’” the former India captain said.
“If the player is going to feel a sense of entitlement irrespective of whether he is rich or poor, then you have a problem. We face that problem sometimes. At the NCA, a lot of coaches have told me sometimes the best bowlers and the best batsmen are the worst fielders or the worst runners between wickets.”
Dravid said parents and coaches play a huge role in the shaping up of a player. “There are two things that are very important. The first is what kids are taught by their parents and early coaches.
“If people have been told they can fudge their age, that is the start of a problem. You are basically telling the kid it is okay to cheat. For me that is not setting the right example to a young kid at an impressionable age,” the India U-19 coach said about age fudging, a topic that he has spoken about in the past too.
“If a parent is shouting at a coach and blaming a coach or umpire when things go wrong, to a young, impressionable kid, he grows up thinking that is the way things should be done.
“The second key point, I feel, that can help youngsters is the role a senior player plays. Seniors in cricket teams can play a huge role in guiding and helping a youngster – not necessarily with words but by setting the right example.”
When asked how much responsibility rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India for grooming the players when it comes to their public conduct, the former India captain said it starts from home.
“I don’t think you can just pass on the responsibility to just the BCCI and state associations. Along the way there are many touchpoints for cricketers. Right from the time the boy or girl starts playing cricket, your attitude towards the game, what is it that you are taught, are very, very important,” Dravid said.
“Because in a lot of ways they sometimes frame your personality, the way you approach and think about the game. Young players go through a journey – junior teams at the state level, junior teams at the national level, first-class teams, A teams, IPL teams. So there are many places where you can use the opportunity to support and help the youngsters.”
Dravid said it is important to realise that sometimes these things can happen. “Sportspersons and public figures can make mistakes. It is part of learning and growing up.”
He insisted that Pandya and Rahul can still emerge as role models, provided they use this tough time to realise their true potential. “I have no doubt about it. I have coached both of them at various levels. I somehow just don’t feel that interview truly reflected the players. Hopefully they will come back better and stronger from this.
“I will say honestly, I do believe that both of them have not yet achieved their obvious potential that they both have, and maybe this might be the catalyst that would lead them to reflect and help them reach the level and potential they can achieve in all forms of the game. If they can do that they can certainly be role models.”
Dravid said in the age of social media platforms which make star athletes accessible, they can’t really stop them from ignoring it but they do advise to use it smartly.
“Young people getting on those platforms should understand the obvious advantages and the pitfalls,” said Dravid. “We tell them is look, there are advantages with what you guys are doing, but there are obvious dangers and stuff that can mess up with your mind, which will then not necessarily allow you to focus on the game or will stress you out, affect you mentally, and affect your game. So you’ve got to be careful that you not let that happen.”