Rahul Dravid believes that instant fame and wealth are not the only reasons for a young cricketer to feel entitled as excessive parental attention during formative years could also prove to be equally harmful.

Dravid’s comments came in the wake of controversy surrounding the sexist remarks made by Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, who were suspended by the CoA and subsequently had their provisional suspensions lifted.

Dravid refused to agree when suggested that perhaps big money influences a player’s character. “I don’t like to equate entitlement with wealth. Yes, it can come with wealth, but I don’t think that is the only factor. It can happen from a young age. Sometimes in a lower-income family they see one of the kids is special in cricket so the entire energy of the family is focused towards him or her,” Dravid told ESPN Cricinfo. “If everything is sacrificed for that one person, then sometimes that can lead to a sense of entitlement as well. If that starts at a very young age, the kid could feel, “I am special and it is all about me,” the former India captain said.

“If the player is going to feel a sense of entitlement irrespective of whether he is rich or poor, then you have a problem. We face that problem sometimes. At the NCA, a lot of coaches have told me sometimes the best bowlers and the best batsmen are the worst fielders or the worst runners between wickets.” Dravid said parents and coaches play a huge role in the shaping up of a player. “There are two things that are very important.

The first is what kids are taught by their parents and early coaches. If people have been told they can fudge their age, that is the start of a problem. You are basically telling the kid it is okay to cheat. For me that is not setting the right example to a young kid at an impressionable age,” the India U-19 coach spoke about the age old malaise.

“The second key point, I feel, that can help youngsters is the role a senior player plays. Seniors in cricket teams can play a huge role in guiding and helping a youngster – not necessarily with words but by setting the right example.” When asked how much responsibility rests with the BCCI for grooming the players when it comes to their public conduct, the former India captain said it starts from home.

“I don’t think you can just pass on the responsibility to just the BCCI and state associations. Along the way there are many touchpoints for cricketers. Right from the time the boy or girl starts playing cricket, your attitude towards the game, what is it that you are taught, are very, very important,” Dravid said.