Dravid will do an 'incredible job' if he becomes India coach: Watson

Watson played alongside Dravid for Rajasthan Royals. © Cricaction

Shane Watson, the former Australia all-rounder, has backed Rahul Dravid to do an 'incredible job' if he goes on to become India's head coach. "At the starting point, there is no doubt about the quality of person Rahul Dravid is," Watson told New Indian Express on Thursday (May 26).

The 34-year-old all-rounder played alongside Dravid for the now-defunct Rajasthan Royals and has revealed that he learnt a lot from the 43-year-old legend. "I was very fortunate to know him well while working with him at Rajasthan Royals (first as the captain) and (later as the) mentor and then learning about his cricketing abilities," he said.

Watson is currently playing in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore under Virat Kohli. He believes that Kohli has grown as a leader this year and can combine with Dravid to achieve success with India. "There is no doubt that he will do an incredible job if he gets the chance to coach India and also with Kohli who is continuing to grow in this IPL as a leader," he said. "He is an incredible man. He has an amazing amount of experience to pass on to the youngsters."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India are looking to appoint a new coach since Ravi Shastri's tenure as team director came to an end following the ICC World Twenty20 2016. They have set June 10 as the deadline day for applications to be submitted for the post of head coach and the three assistant coaches.

"It is open to everyone, whether current support staff, from outside India or within India. Anyone who is keen to coach the Indian team or take up other responsibilities," Anurag Thakur, the new BCCI president, had said a few days ago.