The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Dravid's mindset perfect for Tests: Wadekar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 23, 2005

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Dravid's mindset perfect for Tests: Wadekar

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: Fresh faces and new ideas fuelled hopes of a rejuvenated display from the Indian team and what we have seen are some showpiece performances over the last few weeks, said Ajit Wadekar, former India captain and not long ago the chairman of the senior national selection committee.

His response to the decision of the national selectors to keep faith in Rahul Dravid as captain for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka, was: "It's absolutely essential to give him a long rope. Dravid's mindset is so perfect for traditional Test match cricket. Only if it's necessary, one can think of having different captains for Tests and one-day internationals."

Wadekar is impressed with the improvement shown in the fielding and catching areas of the game. "Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina and the entire team in general has saved many runs and held fine catches."

When asked if the selectors should try out Yuvraj (135 ODIs and 8 Tests) and Kaif (101 ODIs and 7 Tests) in the middle order for Test matches, he said: "Why not? Over the years they have proved themselves as international cricketers. They have given sufficient evidence that they can adapt to Test cricket."

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is another newcomer Wadekar waxed eloquent about and said he should be a strong contender for the Test series. "He has played some exceptional match-winning knocks. In a match against Sri Lanka, he showed common sense while batting and struck sixes only in the last two balls. He also effected a fine stumping of Mahela Jayewardene off Kartik. Dhoni has improved in his wicket-keeping."

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