Dravid wants bowlers to deliver in Tests

Former captain urges India to repeat team’s 2007 win over England.

LONDON:

India’s largely unproven attack will decide if the tourists win their forthcoming Test series in England, according to former captain Rahul Dravid.

Next week sees England and India begin a five-match campaign at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge ground.

It was at Trent Bridge where India, under Dravid’s leadership, beat England by seven wickets in 2007 on the way to a 1-0 win in a three-match contest — one of just three Indian Test series victories on English soil.

However, it was a different story in 2011 – their last series in England – when India were whitewashed 4-0.

Although the likes of top-order greats Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Dravid himself, who quit two years ago, have since retired, India’s batting remains their strong suit.

“I think the key is going to be the ability to take 20 wickets,” said Dravid.

Back in 2007, left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan – not selected for this tour – and retired leg-spinner Anil Kumble were the central figures in India’s attack.

“When we won the series here in 2007, Zaheer was exceptional but he got good support from the other guys as well,” recalled Dravid.

India have the experienced Ishant Sharma – the only bowler in their squad to have played a Test in England prior to this trip – as well as fellow seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Stuart Binny in their squad.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2014.

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