Samit Dravid, the son of former India captain Rahul Dravid, will be sidelined for the upcoming two-match Youth Test series against Australia. The first Test commenced on Monday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Samit is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for a knee injury that also hampered his participation in the preceding three-match Youth One-Day series against Australia. India secured a clean sweep in the limited-overs series, winning all three matches in Puducherry last week.
Head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar provided an update on Samit’s status, stating, “He’s at the NCA, recovering from his knee injury. We’re unsure about his current condition, but it seems unlikely he’ll be part of the squad.” Samit, who will turn 19 on October 11th this year, will be ineligible to participate in the 2026 U-19 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Kanitkar emphasized the significance of red-ball cricket at the U-19 level for the development of young players. “Playing Test matches is a fantastic initiative because red-ball cricket truly puts you to the test. Bowlers have ample time to formulate strategies and plans. For batsmen, bowlers, and even fielders, it’s the ultimate challenge to gauge their abilities,” he explained. “Competing against a foreign side at the U-19 level was incredibly beneficial for many of us, myself included, and it will be an invaluable experience for the current players,” he added.
Kanitkar also lauded the depth of the squad without highlighting any specific individuals. “This team possesses a wealth of talent, both in batting and bowling. Any one of them could rise to the occasion and deliver, which is a very promising sign for us,” Kanitkar remarked.
The second Youth Test is slated to begin on October 7th at Chepauk. With Samit’s absence, the spotlight will be on the other young Indian talents vying for a chance to showcase their skills and potentially leave their mark on this crucial series.
