The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Twenty-20 has a place in domestic cricket: Dravid

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Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006

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Twenty-20 has a place in domestic cricket: Dravid

London: Rahul Dravid has thrown his weight behind Twenty-20 cricket, saying there was space for the instant version of the game in domestic cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has constantly opposed the latest version of the game, which was introduced among the first-class teams in England two years ago. But Dravid believes the latest concept was welcome provided it was played without diluting the conventional 50-50 limited overs game.

"For an event like this to play for the victims of the earthquake was fantastic. But we've got to be careful Twenty20 doesn't dilute 50-over cricket," Dravid told BBC Sport. "We don't have a domestic competition and I think it has a place in domestic cricket," he added.

The Indian captain played a Twenty20, which was reduced to 10 overs a side due to inclement weather, alongside international stars including teammates Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni and West Indian genius Brian Lara for charity at The Oval on Monday. The International XI lost to touring Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Dravid welcomed Sachin Tendulkar's return to fitness after watching him make an unbeaten half-century in a charity match in London.

Tendulkar, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, made 50 not out for an International XI.

Tendulkar opened with Brian Lara, putting on 72 for the first wicket, faced 26 balls, hitting eight fours and a six and showing little discomfort from his injury.

The surgery in March forced Tendulkar to miss India's recent series in the Caribbean but he looked to have made a good recovery as he top-scored in the International XI's 123 from ten overs after the start had been delayed by rain.

Dravid, captaining the International side, said: "It was great to see him bat like that, good to see him bat with Lara and to see him hitting the ball again.

"He was striking it really well and there was never any doubt that he would be back." — Agencies

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