Rahul Dravid Admits To India's Long-Tail Problem, Ex-India Star Advocates These Players' Inclusion

16.08.2023 - 16:25 sports.ndtv.com

In T20 cricket, the Indian cricket team is still battling the long-tail problem. Even head coach Rahul Dravid admitted that there's a shortfall of all-rounders in the team.

The 5th T20I between India and West Indies even saw Tilak Varma bowl, taking the prized wicket of Nicholas Pooran. While Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been backed to bowl more often by the Indian team management, even former cricketers are lining up, backing this approach by the Indian team.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra called for the Indian team to push for batters who can bowl and give youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma a long rope and encouragement to bowl as often as possible.

He also called for spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar to become a part of India's scheme of things in T20I format. "Considering that most of the current Indian batters don't bowl even a couple of overs, Indian team must start pushing for batters who do.

cricket India Cricket Team Washington Sundar inclusion Nicholas Pooran Rahul Dravid Aakash Chopra Star India Washington India

The Indian selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, is likely to go for a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in order to check out all possible options ahead of the ODI World Cup, starting October 5. It is also learnt that BCCI is bucking the convention for the first time and head coach Rahul Dravid will also be present in his official capacity during the meeting scheduled in the national capital on Monday morning. It can be confirmed that neither Ravi Shastri nor Anil Kumble were part of selection meetings during their tenure as national coach.

Ex-Australia Star Offers 2 Solutions For India's No. 4 Issue. Suryakumar Yadav Not Part Of It

With the uncertainty over KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer's fitness, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has suggested a couple of solutions for the Indian team heading into the World Cup. Both Rahul and Iyer are currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy, and their absence has left a massive void in the Indian middle-order. While India have tried different combinations to address the issue, none of the players have managed to impress head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma.

"Play Rinku Singh Instead...": India Star On Sanju Samson And Why Middle-order Is "Not The Right Place" For Him

Sanju Samson failed to impress in the T20I series against West Indies. The batter returned scores of 12, 7, and 13 against the Caribbean side. In two matches, he batted at the number 5 position while in one game he came in at number 6 spot. Star Indian player Abhishek Nayar believes that the team mismanaged the wicketkeeper-batter by sending him in the lower-middle order. It is worth noting that Samson usually bats at number 3 or 4 position in Indian Premier League and domestic cricket.

Rahul Dravid's Report Card As Coach: Has India Legend Delivered On What Was Expected?

Poor performances in Indian cricket hardly go unnoticed, no matter how big the stature of the person is. Even the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar haven't been immune to criticism at times. It's the same case with Rahul Dravid, but in the capacity of a coach. Since taking over the Indian team's coaching responsibility in November 2021, Dravid has been touted as the man who will bring India's long and excruciating wait for an ICC title to an end. But, that hasn't quite been the case.

KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer To Return For Asia Cup? Indian Cricket Team Coach Rahul Dravid Drops Big Hint

The Indian cricket team ended the tour of West Indies on a disappointing note, losing the 5-match T20I series 2-3. The result highlighted many problems in the team, especially in the batting unit as fans and experts shared their concerns ahead of the Aisa Cup and the World Cup. India head coach Rahul Dravid admitted that mistakes were made and the fact that there remain many gaps in the squad that need to be plugged. As the Asia Cup remains just a couple of weeks away from its start, Dravid gave a positive piece of news, saying some 'injured stars' are set to make a comeback.

Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan's Ireland T20Is Absence Leaves Ex-India Star Fuming

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal left everyone stunned with their massive 165-run partnership during the fourth T20I between India and West Indies on Saturday. Asked to bowl first, the Hardik Pandya-led side restricted West Indies at 178/8 in 20 overs and later chased down the target with three overs to spare. The duo, however, couldn't deliver in the 5th T20I that India lost by 8 wickets. Post this series, Team India will be on their next assignment, which will be a three-match T20I series against Ireland.