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The `Dravid effect` for tests too: The Times Of India
Kolkata, Sept 16: Sourav Ganguly is keen to carry the `Dravid Effect` into Tests. India`s vice-captain opened up options for the Indian think-tank ever since he doubled up as wicketkeeper at One-day Internationals.
Kolkata, Sept 16: Sourav Ganguly is keen to carry the 'Dravid Effect' into Tests. India's vice-captain opened up options for the Indian think-tank ever since he doubled up as wicketkeeper at One-day Internationals.
Ganguly, oozing confidence before another cricket season, stressed he would love a similar situation for Tests.
"Rahul Dravid scoring runs and keeping wickets has helped, and we need to do something similar in Tests as well," Sourav said. He was, of course, quick to indicate that the longer version of the game needed needed far more specialised hands because, among other things, "a lot more balls go behind the wicket".
So, even if Parthiv Patel, Thilak Naidu and Ajay Ratra were the choices for the Challenger Series, the think-tank has "a few other names on mind as well," he said. If Dravid's donning the big gloves allowed Sourav an extra batsman in the eleven, in Tests it will be about getting another bowler on board.
"To win Tests you have to take 20 wickets, so playing five bowlers is essential, and that can happen when we create the extra slot," he stressed.
There is, no doubt, a message in the selection of Sanjay Bangar ahead of Shib Sundar Das and Gautam Gambhir for the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy. "If a pace bowlers knows he has to bowl 18-20 overs in a day, he's bound to hold something back," the skipper reminded.
Can New Zealand challenge India in these conditions?
Ganguly, oozing confidence before another cricket season, stressed he would love a similar situation for Tests.
"Rahul Dravid scoring runs and keeping wickets has helped, and we need to do something similar in Tests as well," Sourav said. He was, of course, quick to indicate that the longer version of the game needed needed far more specialised hands because, among other things, "a lot more balls go behind the wicket".
So, even if Parthiv Patel, Thilak Naidu and Ajay Ratra were the choices for the Challenger Series, the think-tank has "a few other names on mind as well," he said. If Dravid's donning the big gloves allowed Sourav an extra batsman in the eleven, in Tests it will be about getting another bowler on board.
"To win Tests you have to take 20 wickets, so playing five bowlers is essential, and that can happen when we create the extra slot," he stressed.
There is, no doubt, a message in the selection of Sanjay Bangar ahead of Shib Sundar Das and Gautam Gambhir for the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy. "If a pace bowlers knows he has to bowl 18-20 overs in a day, he's bound to hold something back," the skipper reminded.
Can New Zealand challenge India in these conditions?
"Yes," feels Sourav. "They are a good team and did well in Sri Lanka," he says, but can't help adding: "Of course, there they had (to cope with) only one Muralitharan but here they'll be up against it at both ends, with Harbhajan and Kumble. Most skippers look at a tour of India as a huge challenge, I agree with them."
While there will be the juicy prospect of 'revenge' when Kiwis open India's season with the Test series next month, the tour to Australia is on most mind. Sourav is willing to think differently this time.
"Rather than expect to do well, we must do well. It's not just about confidence but belief as well," he says.