All the sporting activities have come to a grinding halt in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, which has claimed more than 350,000 lives globally so far.
It has been over two months since any form of domestic or international cricket was last played and there is no certainty about the game’s resumption yet.
Amid the crisis, National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief Rahul Dravid on Wednesday (May 27) revealed that they have been addressing mental health issues of non-contracted and U-19 players.
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Since this uncertain period has caused financial challenges, it could very well affect the cricketers mentally.
"It's something we tried in this lockdown (addressing mental health of players through professionals). We identified outside of the contract list and with the U-19 players. We have given the opportunity to connect to professionalism," Dravid said during a Rajasthan Royals webinar on Mental Health and Wellbeing.
"As a former cricketer I truly believe that former cricket players, cricket coaches rarely don't have the expertise to deal with the issues that some of the youngsters have these days. The right thing for us to direct them to professionals and take it forward," he added.
The former Indian captain is also glad that the players are now opening up about the mental health issue.
"It is high-pressure environment. In the past there was a certain stigma associated to admit it but with a few players coming out definitely there has been some better conversation around it," he said.
Before taking charge as NCA head, Dravid mentored India Under-19 and India ‘A’ cricketers for quite a while.
Dealing with insecurities was challenging for Dravid in his early days and that is one of the reasons why he loves nurturing young talents.
"It's quite unnerving for a lot of young players which is why I love working with the Under-19 boys or India A who I think going through the same amount of insecurities whether I make it or not.
"I kind of identify with them, that something I had experienced myself as a young boy," he said.
As far as Rahul Dravid’s academic credentials are concerned – the 'Wall of Indian Cricket' has a graduate degree in commerce and was doing MBA when he was selected for India.
"I think trying to get into the Indian team was one of the most challenging phases. I made my First-Class debut at the age of 17 or so... It took me about five years of First-Class cricket to play for India.
"If I look back the most complicated time for me would me before when I played for India when you had those risky decisions to take with doubts and insecurities around it.
"When you had the choices of going down with a career in something else and you commit to cricket and take that risky decision and going through it.
"You had to sacrifice your education in some ways to take a punt, take a gamble on cricket. It kind of worked out. I never used that degree ever luckily," he recalled.
(With PTI inputs)
