Team India head coach Rahul Dravid gave a hint that the team might go with Ravichandran Ashwin in IND vs NZ clash on Sunday. Dravid said that they don’t want to give much out but they can suprise the Kiwis with three spinners instead of two.
“With Hardik not being there, we can certainly go with three fast bowlers. We can also play Ashwin alongside him and then the two spinners. Wouldn’t want to give much out but we know what our playing XI is for tomorrow”, Dravid said at the press conference on the eve of the clash.
Notably, Hardik Pandya has been ruled out due to an ankle injury which he sustained in India’s previous match against Bangladesh in Pune.
Dravid also talked about the importance of Hardik and how his absence has disrupted the balance of the side.
“Hardik is an important player for us. He is obviously missing this game and we will try to work around the 14 and see what’s the best combination. But we will obviously miss the balance we have had in the first four games,” said Dravid.
“KL Rahul’s wicket-keeping abilities has given us confidence”
The head coach also talked about KL Rahul’s improved wicket-keeping skills in the ongoing World Cup, saying he’s kept superbly.
“KL Rahul has been doing a fantastic job. Rahul has really kept superbly in this tournament and batted really well whenever he has got a chance. It is a challenge since he is not someone who keeps regularly. He’s kept a bit more than I did but it’s still challenging considering that he came back from a long injury,” Dravid added.
He added that KL Rahul’s wicket-keeping abilities have given a lot of confidence to the side.
“We thought we would build him up and play him in matches leading up to the World Cup but couldn’t do that because of his injury. The way he came back and worked hard is great. He’s kept really well and it’s really good to see, which gives us a lot of confidence in his abilities,” Dravid added.
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