Jaipur: Senior batsman Rahul Dravid feels that the nightmarish tour of England is a thing of past now and a full-strength Team India would certainly do well in the upcoming Test series in Australia.
“The tour of England was a huge disappointment for us and there were fitness problems too. We could have done better there. However that is a thing of past and the tour Down Under gives us another opportunity to to do well. Hopefully, we will have full-strength side and do well there,” Dravid said on Saturday.
Dravid has often spoken about ticking a few “mental boxes” prior to a series and it’s his own expectations that is more important rather than what the world expects of him. “Everyone thrives on doing well and expectations from one’s inner self are high. Which is the rival team — England or Australia — nothing matters but the pressure from inner-self and the desire to do well,” he added.
Asked about India’s inexperienced bowling attack, the ‘The Wall’ expects that Zaheer Khan will be fully fit to don the mantle of a pace spearhead.
“He has been included in the team and is getting back to his full fitness. He bowled in a Ranji match and there are all chances that he would be fit and raring to go for Australian Tour. His presence would bolster the Indian bowling,” he said.
Talking about Ravichandran Ashwin and about chances of him being sorted out like Sri Lankan Ajantha Mendis, Dravid said that the young offie is still on a learning curve.
“He is young and new in the trade. He is improving and learning. He can do well in Australia,” he opined.
When asked if his agreeing to lead Rajasthan Royals was in contrast to his decision of quitting One Dayers and T-20, Dravidsaid that his first priority was Test cricket. On a lighter vein, he said that he would never play a ‘Dilscoop’ and stick to basic cricket shots. (PTI)