Rahul Dravid gives savage reply to reporter’s Mitchell Starc, Shaheen Afridi comparison. ‘Being a left-handed pacer is not enough to make the Indian squad,’ says Rahul Dravid.
India began the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on a high note, defeating Australia in the first Test by an innings and 132 runs. Both innings were controlled by India’s bowlers. In their two innings, the visitors were swept out for 177 and 91 runs. India, on the other side, amassed a massive 400-run total, led by skipper Rohit Sharma’s century.
With the second Test due to begin on Friday, February 17, the hosts will be hoping to continue their winning streak. The second Test of the four-match series will be played at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Before the game, India coach Rahul Dravid spoke to the media on a variety of issues. There was one query posed to the Team head about the absence of talented left-hand pacers, to which he responded harshly.
A journalist approached Dravid and asked him about the team’s lack of great left-arm pacers. The media person posed the issue, mentioning Mitchell Starc of Australia and Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan as examples. He even questioned why India has unable to produce excellent pacers such as Ashish Nehra and Irfan Pathan.
Also Visit: David Warner lands in Delhi under heavy security for the second Test.
Rahul Dravid reply savagely to the reporter.
“A left-handed fast bowler adds a lot of variety. You omitted Zaheer Khan’s name. However, selectors and management are on the lookout for these qualities. Arshdeep Singh performed admirably in recent ODIs, as well as in the Ranji Trophy, when he took 4-5 wickets. He’s still young and growing. Other men are performing as well. However, simply being a left-handed pacer will not help you get into the side; you must to execute,” Dravid explained.
“Aapke paas hain 6ft 4′ bowler toh aap batado” (If you know someone 6ft4 bowler let us know). “You chose Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi’s names, but in India, we seldom find someone as big as 6ft 5′ who bowls left-handed quick,” he continued.
The coach stated that the squad is also taking this matter seriously. He also stated that the squad understands the value of having excellent left-hand pacers. They cannot be considered if you are solely in that position. He went on to say that Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra were passed over just because they were left-handed fast bowlers. He then highlighted the newcomers Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Choudhary.
Also Read: Trivia: Smriti Mandhana’s WPL salary is higher than Babar Azam’s PSL salary?