25 March 2024 last updated at 19:12 GMT
 
Ind good enough to beat Eng: Dravid
Friday 14 October 2011

After playing his last ODI in England, senior India batsman Rahul Dravid hopes that the home side can exact revenge by turning over the English in the ODI series.

"There are still a number of players who are injured, which has given an opportunity to the youngsters and I believe that this team is good enough," said Dravid, who bid adieu to the one-day cricket after the England tour recently.

He said that the youngsters have the experience of playing in Indian Premier League (IPL) and are good enough in the existing conditions.

"All these players have played in the IPL and they have the experience of playing at the top level," insisted Dravid.

Dravid was the lone Indian batsman to score freely against a probing English attack, scoring three centuries in the four-match Test series, which the visitors lost 0-4.

England also inflicted a humiliating 3-0 defeat on India in the five-match One-day contest.

"We lost to a very good team that was prepared well for the series. They had a very skillful bowling line-up and had proper strategy in place," Dravid said.

He added that India should learn from their experience of playing against England and should not get bogged down by just one bad series.

"We have lost the No. 1 Test status but we have not lost the confidence in ourselves. We should aim to get back to the top and that should inspire us to do well," said Dravid.

Dravid also came in support of the Indian bowlers, who had a torrid time in recent past, saying the Indian attack is still young and learning.

"Most of our bowlers picked up injuries against England, which was a matter of great concern. Our bowlers are still young, I won't say our bowling is weak but they are inexperienced.

"You need to pick 20 wickets in order to win a Test match, and if we were able to achieve No. 1 spot in Test cricket credit must also go to the bowlers," Dravid insisted.

On the introduction of two balls in an ODI inning by the ICC, Dravid said the amendment will add to the excitement but added that it may cause some concern when the team travels abroad.

"I no longer play one-dayers so I have not given much thought on the changes made by the ICC, but if any experiment is being done I am sure it would be for the betterment of the game," he said.

"The game will become more exciting with the introduction of two new balls, particularly on foreign pitches where the ball bounces a lot. We have seen some big scores being made in the 50-over format but now there will be a tough battle between bat and bowl," added Dravid.

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