Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has dismissed allegations that certain players were deliberately excluded from the national team under his tenure. Addressing the controversy, Dravid emphasized that selection decisions were made collectively by the coaching staff and the selection committee, rather than being a unilateral call.

The remarks come amid claims from a prominent cricketer who suggested that his exclusion from Team India was not based purely on performance. However, Dravid stood firm on his stance, stating that players must prove themselves in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy to be considered for national selection.

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also weighed in, urging the cricketing fraternity to refrain from spreading unverified news that could damage reputations. He backed Dravid’s approach, emphasizing that every player must earn their spot through consistent performances rather than external influences.

With the debate over team selection heating up, this statement from Dravid reaffirms that national selection is a multi-faceted process, prioritizing team strategy and individual form.