I think since MS Dhoni, days of specialist wicketkeepers are gone in white-ball cricket: Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid was asked a series of questions when he arrived for the pre-match press conference for the third and final ODI between India and New Zealand. He was asked about the wicketkeeper situation in the team as well to which, the head coach gave a very calm response.
India is set to face New Zealand in the third and final ODI in Indore on Tuesday. It is a dead rubber since India have already clinched the series with an unassailable lead. India were simply too good for the visitors in both the matches and showed their dominance in all departments of the game.
Rahul Dravid, Team India head coach, spoke to the media ahead of the game where he was asked some tough questions. One reporter asked whether the Indian team is looking for a Dravid-like keeper for the upcoming World Cup.
Rahul Dravid replied, “We are always looking for a wicketkeeper-batsman, there is no question about it. I think since MS Dhoni, in white-ball cricket, the days of specialist wicket keepers are gone unfortunately. We are lucky and we are fortunate that all of the guys who are in contention, even in this team you know whether it's Ishan Kishan or KS Bharat are both good batsmen and have done well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Bharat hasn't played but Ishan has obviously done well as a batsman.”
Another question was regarding the spot of wicket-keeper since mainstay Rishabh Pant is on the injury list for at least a year or so.
“There is Rahul there, Samson is there, but unfortunately, Rishabh is injured. All of these guys are wicketkeeper-batsman. I think today, you have to be a wicketkeeper-batsman. You should be able to bat and contribute significantly. We have also picked up Jitesh Sharma in the T20 mix because of his ability to bat and score runs at a very quick pace as he has shown in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and in the IPL that he has played. So yeah it's given now that all teams need a wicketkeeper-batsman,” Dravid added.
New Zealand need to up their game if they want to get a consolation win in this ODI series. Their batting has let them down throughout the series and would be hoping for a more combined effort if they want to beat India at home. India would be looking to rest some key players having already won the series. This is also a chance for them to give chances to players who might be out of form and would look to make the best use of this opportunity.
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