India vs New Zealand: Dravid not worried about Rahane’s form but ‘would like more runs’ from vice-captain

Team India coach Rahul Dravid on Monday came out in support of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who suffered another flop show with the bat in the drawn first Test against New Zealand at the Green Park Stadium.

Rahane, who led India in the absence of Virat Kohli in Kanpur, is walking on thin ice at the moment due to his lack of runs in Tests this year.

He scored just 35 and 4 in both innings for the first Test while his career average dropped below 40 due to the repeated failures. The 33-year-old has amassed just 411 runs from 12 Tests in 2021 so far at an average of 19.57 with two half-centuries and scored just 1 hundred in the last two years.

IND vs NZ, 1st Test: Highlights | Report

But Dravid still has faith in the veteran Mumbai batsman and believes that it is only a matter of time before Rahane turns his form around and regains his touch with the bat in red-ball cricket.

Asked if Rahane’s poor form is a cause for concern for India, Dravid said: “I mean you don’t get worried. Of course, you would like more runs from Ajinkya, he would like to score more runs.

“He is a quality player and he has done well for India in the past. He is one of those guys who has quality and experience and it’s matter of a game when he would like to turn it around, and he knows that, and we know that,” the former India captain said after the match.

Calls have been growing louder in the Indian cricketing fraternity to drop Rahane but Dravid refused to indulge in their selection plans for the second Test in Mumbai in which Virat Kohli will return to lead the team.

“Look, we haven’t decided what will be our playing XI and it’s too early. At least, today our focus was on this game and when we go to Mumbai, we will assess the conditions and check people’s fitness.

“Virat Kohli will join us so we have to discuss with him also and then take a decision,” Dravid added.

DRAVID DEFENDS DECLARATION TIMING

Dravid also dismissed the suggestion that the timing of India’s declaration may have cost them victory in Kanpur. India declared their second innings on 234 for 7 on Sunday, setting New Zealand a victory target of 284.

New Zealand’s final batting pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel saw out the last 52 balls to force a draw in the first match of the two-Test series.

“I don’t think so. That’s not my reading of the game. Till half an hour before we declared, we were under pressure. All three results were possible, to be very honest with you. I thought we timed that declaration really well,” Dravid, who took over the coaching role earlier this month, said when asked if India had delayed their declaration too long.