Dravid shared his thoughts at a press conference after India’s 16-run loss to Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Pune on Thursday (January 5). Bowling first after winning the toss, India were poor with the ball, conceding 206-6 in 20 overs. The hosts were then restricted to 190-8 in response.
Team India lost five wickets for 57 runs, but Axar Patel (65), Suryakumar Yadav (51) and Shivam Mavi (26) combined to put up a fight, albeit in a losing cause. Speaking after the game, Dravid stressed on the need for more bowling all-rounders apart from Hardik. He said:
After India lost five wickets, Axar and Yadav added 91 runs for the sixth wicket to give the team a lift. Responding to a query on Axar’s significant improvement in batting, Dravid hailed the all-rounder. He commented:
Before smacking a 31-ball 65 in the second T20I, Axar had also smashed a handy 31* in the opening game of the series in Mumbai. He earlier contributed a crucial 34 in the second innings of the Mirpur Test.
“He’s earned it” - Dravid hails debutant Rahul Tripathi
The second T20I also marked the much-awaited international debut of Rahul Tripathi. While he was dismissed for five at his home ground, he did pull off a brilliant catch in the field.
Praising Tripathi for his dedication, Dravid said:
Tripathi was handed his debut cap on Thursday after a knee injury ruled Sanju Samson out of the T20I series.
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