Rahul Dravid advised son Samit Dravid about this important truth before India U-19 selection

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Samit Dravid, following in the footsteps of his father Rahul Dravid, has achieved a significant milestone by earning a spot in the India U-19 squad for the upcoming series against Australia.

Despite the inevitable scrutiny that comes with his renowned surname, Samit has managed to shine through his own merit.

In a recent interview with the Indian Express, Samit's childhood coach Karthik Jeshwanth explained that both he and Rahul Dravid have consistently reminded Samit that his performance, not his lineage, will determine his success. They have encouraged him to focus on his game and disregard external pressures, a strategy that has helped him maintain his composure.

"Samit has grown up knowing what his father's stature is and knows that there is going to be a lot of pressure. So that's what Rahul and myself have been telling him, not to be bothered about any outside noise or attention. He will be judged on his own skills and what he does on the field. He has to learn to live with the attention without it affecting his batting," he said.

Samit is currently competing in the Maharaja T20 Trophy with the Mysuru Warriors, demonstrating his skills as a fast-bowling all-rounder. Although his medium-pace bowling has yet to be showcased in the tournament, he has contributed with the bat, scoring 82 runs at a strike rate of 114 in seven innings. His selection for the U-19 team was largely based on his strong showing in the Cooch Behar Trophy, where he scored 362 runs and took 16 wickets in eight matches for Karnataka.

RX Murali, coach of the Mysuru Warriors and a mentor to players such as Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul, has praised Samit for his grounded attitude and positive character. Despite the high expectations surrounding him, Murali highlighted that Samit remains approachable and well-regarded by his peers.

"I have no doubt, Samit has it in him to go all the way," he told the national daily. "I can't even imagine the pressure of the shoes he has to fill. But we make sure that in our team that we don't discuss all that. Luckily for us, the boy is grounded, sweet, and all his team-mates have nothing but good stuff to share about him. He is pretty easy-going. He has no airs about where he comes from."

Murali also noted Samit's aggressive batting style, which, while incorporating elements of his father's technique, showcases his own flair. He was particularly impressed with Samit's ability to play a variety of shots, including powerful cover drives and lofted strokes, which have set him apart and caught the attention.