India have great chance of winning maiden series in SA: Dravid
By Bharat SharmaNew Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) Former India captain Rahul Dravidfeels the Virat Kohli-led team has a "great chance" of winninga maiden Test series in South Africa next month given thedepth of talent in the side.
Dravid, while speaking to PTI, said the current Indianteam has all bases covered for the three-match series in SouthAfrica starting with the first Test in Cape Town from January5.
However, the number one Test team, which has won a recordnine series in a row, has only one warm-up fixture before theseries-opener.
"I think we have a great chance this time looking at thedepth of the current side," Dravid told PTI today.
"We have got some quality quicks, we have the opportunityof playing the all-rounder (Hardik Pandya) if we need to. Wehave got quality spinners in Jadeja and Ashwin.
"What also excites me is that all our batsmen have beento South Africa before and they have the experience of 40-50Tests.
"Having said that, you do need a bit of luck in thoseconditions, bit of rub of the green. If we get that, I am veryconfident about our chances," said Dravid, who is currentlycoaching the U-19 and India A sides.
India have been playing non-stop cricket since theChampions Trophy and none other than Kohli has complained ofnot getting enough time to prepare for the South Africa tourdue to the ongoing full series against Sri Lanka getting overonly on December 24.
Dravid said it will be good to take the extra load offthe players' shoulders.
"Some years are tough (schedule wise) for the team andsome are not. There is a lot of pressure on players but thatis same for all teams. But it will be nice if we can balancethe schedule though it is not an easy job."Kohli recently surpassed Dravid to be the second-highestcentury-maker for India across formats and is only behind thegreat Sachin Tendulkar.
"The intensity that he brings on the field to inspire histeammates is what stands out for me," said Dravid when askedwhat separates Kohli from the others.
The India U-19 squad endured a disastrous campaign in theAsia Cup last month but Dravid chose to look ahead with theWorld Cup starting in New Zealand from January 13.
Asked what went wrong at the Asia Cup, Dravid said: "Notmuch. At this level you are not looking at the results. Theyare young kids and sometimes you expect the results to not goyour way.
"The U-19 level is all about giving opportunities to asmany players as possible. That was the process we followed inthe Asia Cup. I don't stress too much on results. We arelooking forward to the World Cup now and the three-week campahead of that starts in Bengaluru tomorrow."It was a collective decision by Dravid and selectors tomake batting sensation Prithvi Shaw play the Ranji Trophy thanthe Asia Cup.
India did not do well in the tournament but the 18-year-old has been sublime so far in the season with threecenturies.
"We took a decision, a right decision that the boys whoare playing Ranji Trophy should be allowed to play that. WithU-19, what we are trying to move the players from junior levelto the Ranji level and then hopefully the Indian team," saidDravid defending the decision to exclude Shaw from the AsiaCup squad.
"The faster they get the opportunity, that is the realgoal. Nothing would make me happier if they go on to playfor India A." However, Shaw will be back to lead India in the U-19World Cup next month.
Asked if Shaw is ready to play for India considering thesuccess he has at the First-Class level, Dravid said: "I don'twant to make that moment . He is a good player, he has startedhis season well but selectors will take a call on his future."PT BS PMPM.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.