Hopefully, When Hardik Pandya And Ravindra Jadeja Come Back, It Will Give Us Lot More Depth – Rahul Dravid

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid was hoping that with the return of all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja to the team, India will get a lot more depth.

India lost the recently concluded three-match One Day International series against South Africa by 0-3. India lost the first match by 31 runs, the second match by 7 wickets, and the third and final match by 4 runs.

During an interaction with media, Dravid said that the template of cricket played by the team depends a lot on the balance of the squad and the Indian team did not have guys like Hardik and Jadeja who provide the balance to the squad.

“Yeah, we understand the template. Obviously, a large part of the template is also dependant on the balance of your squad,” Dravid said.

“I think if you are a little bit honest, some of the guys who help us balance the squad out and give us those all-round options at Nos 6, 7 and 8 are probably not here, and available for selection,” Dravid said.

“Hopefully, when they (Hardik and Jadeja) come back, it will give us lot more depth, it allows us then to probably play in a slightly different style,” Dravid said.

Notably, Hardik Pandya made himself unavailable for the South Africa tour as he is trying to get his bowling fitness back and Ravindra Jadeja suffered an injury and was ruled out of the South Africa tour.

Shreyas Iyer has gone in pretty early in all three games and he has had enough time – Rahul Dravid

Dravid also mentioned that the team management wants to give longer rope to the players but in return, they will demand performances.

“We certainly want to give them that consistency and we want to give them that security, and once you give them that consistency and security, you also got to demand performances, really big performances and that is an expectation you have when you play at this level.

“When you play for your country, you have to put in big performances and that’s a requirement. But idea is to give as much stability as you can.”

Rahul Dravid further added that middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer was unable to play a big knock in all three ODI games against South Africa.

“Whether you bat 4, 5 or 6, you have got to know what the team’s requirements are. Shreyas has gone in pretty early in all three games and he has had enough time (out there in the middle).

“We know guys have done well and we would like to back them as much as possible. Sometimes they would have good tours and sometimes, it won’t be possible, that’s just the way it is. Obviously, there tends to be a lot of competition, people pushing for places and its not easy in that kind of a situation,” he said.

Also Read: IND vs WI: 3 Indian Players Who Will Have The Last Chance To Retain Their Spot In T20I Squad

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