A recent episode involving Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin has resurfaced a humorous yet insightful moment from the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The incident, which revolved around a Tamil-language video created by Ashwin, led to a lighthearted exchange between the former India coach and the veteran spinner.
The backstory dates back to the 2023 series when Ashwin posted a video on his YouTube channel explaining techniques for playing spin in India. While intended as an educational resource, the video stirred controversy after India's defeat in the third Test in Indore. Critics jokingly suggested that Ashwin was inadvertently coaching the Australian team. The situation escalated to the point where the channel admin had to alter the video's thumbnail due to the influx of memes and jokes.
In a recent episode of 'Kutti Stories with Ash,' Dravid playfully teased Ashwin about the incident, mentioning that he had been sent the video clip. Dravid humorously remarked that he understood enough Tamil to gather that Ashwin was coaching the Australian team on how to play spin during the series. Ashwin responded with a laugh, clarifying that if he possessed such knowledge, he would have shared it with the Indian team first. Dravid admitted that his comments were made in jest, and Ashwin acknowledged that Dravid had faced some criticism because of the video.
Beyond this playful banter, the interaction highlights the dynamic between Ashwin and his coaches. In March 2024, Dravid praised Ashwin for his continuous evolution as a bowler and his challenging nature, stating that "The good thing about him is that he challenges you, and as a coach, you want that". Dravid lauded Ashwin's contribution to spin bowling and his dedication, hard work, and innovation.
In a contrasting perspective, Ashwin has also compared Dravid's coaching style with that of Gautam Gambhir. While both coaches share a high level of passion and commitment to Indian cricket, Ashwin noted differences in their approaches. He described Gambhir as "very relaxed," even calling him "relaxed Rancho," whereas he found Dravid to be "very regimented," emphasizing order and structure.
In other news, Mitchell Starc has recently made headlines not for his linguistic abilities but for his performance in the IPL 2025. Starc, playing for Delhi Capitals, expressed surprise at Rajasthan Royals' strategy, coached by Rahul Dravid, to send left-handed batsmen against him in a Super Over. Starc's strong performance in the final over and the Super Over led Delhi Capitals to victory.
