“It will be even better in a year”: Rahul Dravid praised the young Indian batsmen of Rajasthan Royals

Head coach Rahul Dravid hopes that young Indian players in the rank of Rajasthan Royals will soon get an opportunity to play “Tuff International Cricket”, which will help in strengthening them for the next IPL season. Royals crashed for their fifth gradual defeat when they went down against Punjab Kings by 10 runs here on Sunday. “We have seen some abilities. Even today, the batting that Jaiswal did, Vaibhav did, Dhruv Juraral did. Today there is a lot of Sanju, Ryan. We have many young, good Indian batsmen. They will be even better in a year.”

Dravid then expanded his ideas how young names in Royals ranks could perform a year better on the road.

“Vaibhav (Suryavanshi) India will play a lot of cricket like U19. Ryan Parag will also play a lot of cricket. Therefore, I think all these players will play a lot of cricket for India throughout the year – hard cricket, international cricket.

“So, hopefully when they come back here next year, they will be more experienced. They are already very talented players,” he said.

Dravid felt that Rajasthan bowlers and batsmen had not been able to implement the finishing touch for the job, causing the team’s disappointing shows this season.

In the latest example, RR 220 pursued to reach 76/1 in only 4.5 overs, but lost the match by 10 runs against Punjab Kings.

“We are closer, but we are not able to finish the work. It’s one of the seasons where you always feel with the ball that probably gives an additional 15-20 runs, and after reaching good positions (with the bat) (with the bat) … With the lower middle-order we can’t click now and get big shots, which we need, which we need,” said Dravid.

Punjab side was reeling 159 for five for five in the 16th over, but he scored 60 runs to reach 219/5 at Sarai Man Singh Stadium in the last four overs.

“These have now been five games, where margin 10 runs, tie games, 1 run, 2 runs, 10 runs have been re -scored. So it is actually a one or two hits you need in the stage that we are not able to do right now.” Dravid said that the bowlers have also taken a similar share of defects for the team’s weak show.

“There is no point in blaming the batsmen only. I think even with the ball, to be honest, this wicket did not think it was 220. It was about 195–200 wickets and we gave 20 runs.

He said, “If we look at the figures, we are not taking wickets or controlling the run despite starting something well. So for the next season, we have to work on it,” he said.

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