Samit Dravid, son of former India captain Rahul Dravid, is set to miss the upcoming four-day matches of India’s Under-19 side against Australia, which kick off in Chennai on Monday. Dravid, who has been recovering from a knee injury, is currently undergoing treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
The injury previously kept him out of the three-match youth one-day series against Australia, where India claimed a 3-0 victory. He was expected to make his debut during that series in Puducherry, but his injury prevented any participation.
Injury Worries Persist for Dravid
Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the head coach of the Indian Under-19 team, expressed uncertainty about Dravid’s availability for the upcoming games.
“As of now, he’s at the NCA, recovering from his knee injury. So, I don’t know yet. It looks unlikely,” Kanitkar mentioned in a statement to ESPNCricinfo.
Samit’s recent MRI scan revealed the extent of the injury, and while the team hoped he could participate in the four-day games, his recovery remains uncertain. With the second four-day match scheduled to begin on October 7 in Chepauk, Dravid still has a short window to regain fitness.
Final Opportunity for U-19 Representation
This series represents Samit Dravid’s last chance to play for India at the Under-19 level, as he will turn 19 on October 11, making him ineligible for future participation, including the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup. As the team waits for the NCA’s final report on his progress, it remains unclear if Dravid will be fit to play.
Meanwhile, Kanitkar emphasized the importance of red-ball cricket for the development of young players. He noted that four-day matches are crucial in helping players understand the tactical depth of the game and prepare for higher levels of competition. “Playing against a foreign side at this stage is a great challenge, and it really helps the players,” Kanitkar added.
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