‘Lot more relaxing to watch this way’ – Rahul Dravid reflects on viewing cricket as fan instead of coach

Rahul Dravid. (Photo Source: MICHAEL ERREY/AFP /AFP via Getty Images)

The 32nd game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 featured a heavyweight clash between the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore and the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday, April 23.

One of the highlights of the game was current India head coach Rahul Dravid witnessing the game from the stands. The former India batter was accompanied by Rajasthan Royals pacer Prasidh Krishna and franchise owner Manoj Badale. Reflected on his experience of watching the game from the stands instead of watching it as a coach, Dravid said that he felt a lot more relaxed.

“It’s a lot more relaxing to watch it this way than to watch it as a coach. Obviously, you are a lot more invested in the game as a coach. You are analysing everything. Just lovely to come here, watch it, and have some fun. The family is here as well, lovely stadium, good vibes, good atmosphere. Two teams that I have played for as well. So it’s nice, once in a while, to watch a game of cricket without thinking about it too much,” he said in a video posted by the IPL.

Talking about the game, RCB posted 189 runs on the board after the first innings thanks to brilliant knocks from Glenn Maxwell (77) and Faf du Plessis (62). During the run chase, Rajasthan got off to the worst of starts as star batter Jos Buttler was dismissed for a duck by Mohammed Siraj. Yashasvi Jaiswal (47 off 37) and Devdutt Padikkal (52 off 34) played quick knocks of and  and tried to get their team close to the target. Although it just was not enough in the end as RCB won by seven runs.