Cricket Has Always Been A Data-Driven Sport, AI Revolutionises It: Rahul Dravid

Cricket has always been a data-driven sport, said former India cricketer Rahul Dravid. "It has always used a certain level of data and statistics to make decisions and selections. This has been happening for decades."

Speaking to NDTV Profit, Dravid explained how the nature of data in cricket has evolved. "What has changed over the last decade is how technology and Artificial Intelligence have enhanced the quality and use of data and statistics."

"There was some basic data used quite extensively earlier, but now—with the use of advanced technology and wearables—we can track things like ball movement much more precisely. Tools like ball tracking, Hot Spot, and others have completely changed how data is perceived and analysed," he said.

He highlighted that the past 4–5 years have seen rapid acceleration in data processing, thanks to AI. "AI now helps us go through data much faster and arrive at solutions in a crisper, quicker, and more accurate manner. In my career, I have seen the transition from rudimentary data usage to highly advanced analytics. It’s been a fascinating journey to be part of."

Dravid recalled how, two decades ago, the idea of bringing laptops into the dressing room was met with skepticism. "People used to wonder, ‘How is a computer going to teach us cricket?’ But today, every team has an analyst sitting in the dressing room with a laptop and it is an integral part of the setup."

According to him, there is now a widespread understanding of the value of technology in cricket. "The data being collected today genuinely helps and enhances performance."

"At the end of the day, it's about what you do with the data that matters. It’s been fascinating for me to see its impact from both sides—cricket and business—through my work with Agentforce and Salesforce. I can see the significant impact it can have," he said.

"Throughout my life and career, it has always been about building partnerships, growth, and development. My collaboration with Salesforce has been exciting—I have truly enjoyed working with the team," he said by drawing a parallel between sports and his professional collaborations.