IND v NZ – He’s a good player and has done well for India in past, says Dravid Rahane

Kanpur, Nov 29 : India head coach Rahul Dhavid has backed Ajinkya Rahanes progress, stating that he is a good player who has done well for India in the past.Rahane will be back in form after only one innings, he said.

His Test career average is now below 40 "You dont get worried (about Rahanes poor form).Ajinkya would get more runs, but that is not what I want.

He would love a few more runs, Im sure.He is a good player and has done well for India in the recent past.

He is one of those players who has the experience and is a quality player.Its just a matter if he plays enough innings to turn the tide.

Dravid stated that he would like to score more runs, and that he also knows that.Dravid remained mum about giving any details on the composition of the playing eleven for the second Test at Mumbai.

Regular skipper Virat Kohli will be joining the team."See, we havent decided yet.We were thinking about this Test match, so it will be too soon to make a decision.We will be able to see the pitch, conditions, and fitness of the players when we go to Mumbai.Virat Kohli will also be there.

We will then decide who will be part of the playing eleven." Dravid praised middle-order batter ShreyasIyers performance in Test cricket.

He also said that it was a validation for Indian crickets system.Iyer scored 105 runs on debut and 65 runs in the second innings.

He was awarded the Player of the match award "Its amazing to see young men perform on their debut.That was also evident in the T20 series, where a few players came in and gave a great account of themselves.

Its always a pleasure to see a young player come in and perform well in his first Test match for India.This is obviously a reflection on the person, but its also a good reflection of the Indian system we have been able to properly develop." "Its not just India A.Hes played at Mumbai at various levels and at club cricket.He has grown and developed into a cricketer who is able to perform on the international stage.Shreyas is a great guy.He has worked hard and earned it.He had to work hard for it, considering that he averaged over 50 in first class crickt.However, he hadnt played first-class cricket since 2003.

Without injuries and rest, he wouldnt have been able to reach the same level.He took his chances and seized them with both his hands.He has really displayed his talent.

" The 48-year old praised Ravichandran Ashwin for surpassing Harbhajan Singh as the third highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket.He had 418 scalps.

He chose to concentrate on his growth and evolution as an off-spinner.Its a remarkable achievement.

Harbhajan Singh was a great bowler, and someone I played a lot with in cricket.He was a great bowler for India, and Ashwins feat of getting past him in 80 Test matches is amazing "Ashwin has been an absolute match-winner in Indias cricket.

Even today, even on this difficult wicket, his ability to pull us back into the game on the third morning with that spell for 11 overs was incredible.And then, today, just to keep the game alive on wickets like these, is a testament to his skill "I think he has just evolved and kept growing.

He is one of those guys who keeps thinking about the game and keeps changing.He has achieved this because of that.

Without learning, improving and evolving, you cant achieve Ashwins success.Dravid said that it was a pleasure to have Ashwin in the dressing room.

He is a great person and I am happy for him to succeed." nr/bs #India #Dravid #Rahane #Mumbai #Cricket #BCCI #ICC #IPL.