India head coach Rahul Dravid talked about England’s bazball tactics and how Indian batters will counter the opposition bowlers, ahead of the first Test between the two sides. This first match of the five-Test series will be played in Hyderabad from January 25 onwards.
Dravid did not see Indian batters replying to England's 'Bazball' in kind but he said they would not be taking a backward step. He further added that Indian batters will formulate their game plans as per the situation.
"I don't think we are going out there to try to be ultra-attacking. I think we look to play what's in front of us, what the situation demands. But by nature, if you look at our top six-seven batsmen, there are a lot of guys who are naturally positive and look to take the game on.
So, they're not going to be looking to change that in any particular way. There'll be some different situations in which we may need to look to push the game along or we might have to bat for long periods. But I can't see any of my batsmen taking a backward step or look to be defensive," Dravid said in an interaction here on Tuesday.
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He further added that England will no doubt come hard at the Indian team, last having won a Test series in 2012 in India.
"It's been exciting to watch them play and you know they've had success playing like that. They've done well in Pakistan. They've won in New Zealand and they had a really exciting series against Australia in the Ashes as well. So, we have to respect that. But we know that it's going to be a challenge for them in these conditions because these are conditions we know very well. We've got a lot of experience in our attack. I'm looking forward to seeing how our boys respond because I know that we will be put under pressure," said Dravid.
Dravid also termed the five-match series a fine chance for Indian players – experienced and upcoming – to set some splendid markers.
"I do believe in allowing people to be comfortable in the way they want to play. They are going to be judged by the results they produce. So, they've got to, you know, find a way to play and work around that. But yeah, they've got some good experience. Guys like Rohit have been around for a while, and Jaddu (Jadeja) and Ash (Ashwin) have been around for more than a decade. Even KL (Rahul) has been around for a while.
So, it's a really good opportunity for them over the course of the next five games to set some good markers as there is a lot of Test cricket (for us) over the next 12 to 18 months. It's a really good opportunity for some of these young players, having had some taste of international cricket, to take the next steps. I'm interested to see how they go," he detailed.
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Dravid also said that the absence of Virat Kohli will be felt in the Indian dressing room. Kohli withdrew from the first two Tests due to personal reasons. The star batter has scored 1991 runs in 28 matches with an average of 42.36.
However, the head coach said that it was a chance for someone else to step in and perform.
"I think you know any team will miss the quality of a player of the Virat. There's no doubt about it. You know, he's a phenomenal player. His record speaks for him. On the field, his presence is a huge boost to the side. But having said that, you know, I think, it just presents another opportunity for somebody else to be able to step up and to be able to put in some performances.
And of course, you know, for reasons I can't be helped, he is not available for us in the first couple of games, But certainly like I said it, you know, while he will be missed. It's a great opportunity for somebody else to really, sort of show us what they've got in these conditions," said Dravid.
(PTI inputs)
