Rahul Dravid’s Simple Note-Taking Trick: How He Analyzes IPL 2025 Matches Like a Pro

Inside the Mind of Rahul Dravid: What He’s Really Writing in the Dugout During IPL 2025

If you’ve been watching the IPL 2025 matches, especially those involving Rajasthan Royals, you might have noticed something intriguing about their head coach, Rahul Dravid. The former Indian captain and legendary batsman has often been spotted scribbling notes in the dugout. What exactly is he writing? Is it some secret strategy? Complex tactics? Or maybe some deep cricketing insights?

Well, Dravid has finally opened up about this mystery—and spoiler alert: it’s nothing complicated or high-tech. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. What he’s doing is a simple, personal method of scoring the game, tailored to help him understand and analyze matches better. Nothing fancy, but incredibly effective for his coaching style.

Rahul Dravid’s Coaching Journey: From Player to Royals' Head Coach

Before diving deeper into the notes, let’s set the scene. Rahul Dravid, affectionately known as “The Wall” for his rock-solid batting, transitioned into coaching after his retirement from international cricket. He took over the reins as Rajasthan Royals' head coach in 2025, succeeding Kumar Sangakkara, another cricketing great.

However, the Royals' season has been challenging. Despite Dravid's vast cricketing wisdom, the team has struggled and found themselves out of playoff contention this year. That said, coaching is a learning curve, even for legends like Dravid, and his note-taking is a small window into how he approaches the game from the sidelines.

What Does Rahul Dravid Actually Write?

In a candid video shared by Star Sports, Dravid explained his note-taking routine. Here's what he said:

“I have a particular way of scoring a game, both T20 and one-day games. I have a particular way of scoring it which helps me review it later. I can look at the scorecard but I score it in a particular way that I find it comfortable and easy to be able to review without looking at the scorecard. Sometimes you're sitting at your room at the end of the game and you want to think over what happened in that over or in that particular phase of the game.”

Dravid’s Unique Scoring Method: Why It Matters

Let’s pause here and unpack why this might be so significant. In cricket, especially in fast-paced formats like T20, there’s a mountain of data flying around — stats, run rates, strike rates, dot balls, wicket patterns, field placements, and so on. Coaches and analysts usually depend on high-tech analytics tools and software to make sense of this.

But Dravid takes a more traditional, hands-on approach. He’s not just relying on digital scorecards or fancy apps; he’s making his own personalized notes. According to him:

“So, I have a particular format, which is slightly different to the normal scorecard. That's more convenient for me to be able to think about it and review the game. So, it's nothing complex or rocket science, I'm not writing some great truths. It's as boring and dumb as you can say.”

That’s classic Dravid—humble, straightforward, and grounded. It’s about comfort and clarity. By writing things down in his own style, he can quickly revisit key moments of the game mentally or on paper later. Imagine sitting in a quiet room after a hectic match, trying to piece together what went wrong or right in a critical over — his notes become a personalized replay.

Why Personal Notes Can Outperform Technology

Here’s an exciting thought: while many teams in modern cricket rely heavily on digital analysis, Dravid’s method underscores the power of personal touch and simplicity in a tech-heavy world.

• Personalized Insight: When you write your own notes, you focus on what matters most to you. It’s tailored analysis.

• Mental Recollection: Writing things down by hand engages the brain differently than just reading a screen. It deepens understanding.

• Easy Access: No need for fancy software or devices. His notebook is always at hand, ready to be reviewed anytime.

• Flexibility: Unlike rigid scorecards, his format can adapt on the fly — capturing nuances that a generic system might miss.

The Art of Review: How Dravid Reflects on Games

For Dravid, coaching isn’t just about the action on the field; it’s also about the quiet moments of reflection afterward. The ability to review what happened during key phases of a match is vital for strategizing future moves. His notes help with that.

Think about this:

• Review Over Critical Overs: T20 games often turn on a single over. Did a bowler exploit a weakness? Did a batsman change gears effectively? Dravid’s notes help pinpoint these moments.

• Phase-by-Phase Analysis: Different phases in T20 cricket demand different strategies — powerplay, middle overs, death overs. His scoring method helps him break down each phase separately.

• Player Performance Tracking: Instead of just stats, he might jot down how a player looked, their body language, or any tactical adjustments needed.

What We Can Learn From Dravid’s Approach

Whether you’re a cricket fan, a coach, or just someone who loves learning from the masters, Dravid’s note-taking philosophy offers valuable life lessons:

1. Simplicity Works: Don’t get overwhelmed by complexity. Sometimes, the simplest method brings the clearest insights.

2. Tailor Your Tools: Create systems that work for you. Not every fancy gadget or app suits everyone.

3. Reflect Actively: Always take time to review and analyze your performance or decisions.

4. Stay Humble: Even legends like Dravid keep their methods “boring and dumb” to stay grounded and effective.

IPL 2025: A Testing Ground for Rahul Dravid

While the Royals’ 2025 season might not be going as planned, Dravid’s approach shows his deep commitment to understanding and improving the team. Coaching in a tournament as intense as the IPL is no easy task. It demands quick thinking, adaptability, and a strong grasp of game nuances — something Dravid is building on, one note at a time.

Fun Fact: The “Wall” Still at Work

Rahul Dravid’s legacy as “The Wall” isn’t just about his batting resilience. It’s about his methodical approach to cricket. His note-taking is like building a wall of knowledge—brick by brick, over every match and every over. Though the IPL scoreboard might tell one story, Dravid’s notes tell another, deeper one.

Final Thoughts: The Power of a Notebook in the Digital Age

In a world dominated by data analytics, AI, and advanced stats, Rahul Dravid’s humble, handwritten notes remind us that sometimes, the best insights come from simple, personalized methods. It’s a blend of old-school wisdom and modern coaching needs.

So next time you see him scribbling in the dugout, know that it’s not some secret code or high-tech strategy — it’s just Rahul Dravid, quietly working on his craft, taking the game one over, one phase, one note at a time.