Soon after being appointed as India’s head coach in November last year, Rahul Dravid had spoken about giving opportunities to players so that they don’t feel getting hard done by the team management.
While Dravid still maintains his stance of giving long rope, he also demands big performances from the players to justify the ample opportunities.
Dravid’s comment came after India suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of South Africa in the ODI series on Sunday (January 23).
Before the ODI series, the Indian team lost the Test series 2-1 against the Proteas side which is in a transition phase.
"We certainly want to give them that consistency and we want to give them that security," Dravid said in the press conference after the third ODI, which India lost by four runs.
"...and once you give them that consistency and security, you have also got to demand performances, really big performances and that is an expectation you have when you play at this level, when you play for your country, you have to put in big performances and that's a requirement," he made it clear.
"But the idea is to give as much stability as you can."
While the head coach didn’t take any names, his point was directed towards the middle-order batters like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant.
Dravid cited that Shreyas need to lift his performances considering that there is so much competition for slots. The right-hander registered scores of 17, 11 and 26 in three ODIs, failing to make an impact.
"Whether you bat 4, 5 or 6, you have got to know what the team's requirements are. Shreyas has gone in pretty early in all three games and he has had enough time (out there in the middle)," Dravid pointed out.
"We know guys have done well and we would like to back them as much as possible. Sometimes they would have good tours and sometimes, it won't be possible, that's just the way it is.
"Obviously, there tends to be a lot of competition, people pushing for places and its not easy in that kind of a situation," he said.
India’s next white-ball assignment is against the West Indies at home next month. The Men in Blue are due to play three ODIs and as many T20Is from February 6 to February 20.
(With PTI inputs)
