Yuzvendra Chahal must focus on red-call cricket: Rahul Dravid

Yuzvendra Chahal, the leg-spinner, has done well in the limited overs cricket at the highest level and formed an effective combination with Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. But India A coach Rahul Dravid feels that he must focus more on red-call cricket to gain experience in Tests. Chahal featured in the recently concluded four-day unofficial Test between India ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ in Bengaluru which the hosts won by an innings and 30 runs.

Though Chahal individually didn’t have a great match, managing just two wickets in the game, Dravid believed the former has the skills and has been given the chance to prove himself in the series against South Africa ‘A’.

“Chahal is someone the Indian selectors are keen on and they want to see how he does in red-ball cricket because he has not played much. So, it is nice that we gave him a couple of chances and it has worked out nicely. So, the more Chahal plays red-ball cricket, the more experience he will gain. There is no doubt, as we see, that he had got skills, but he needs to play a lot more,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.

The 28-year-old Chahal is yet to make his debut in Tests but has played 26 ODIs and as many T20Is to pick 87 international wickets so far in those two forms of the game. He single-handedly turned the deciding game in a three-match T20I series against England at home last year by taking 6 wickets for 25 runs.

Dravid showers praise on Shaw and Agarwal

Rahul Dravid also praised the players like Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw, who hit big scores in the unofficial Test to put up 277 runs for the opening partnership. While Agarwal slammed 220, Shaw scored 136 to take India ‘A’ past the South Africa ‘A’ score of 246 without losing a wicket.

“I think they have shown over the last year or so with their performances that they are playing very good cricket. It’s nice to see them developing and growing as players. Whether there is an opportunity or not is not for me to decide. But they have played really well. Mayank Agarwal was quite exceptional in this game and Prithvi has shown continuous improvement in every level he has played,” the 45-year-old added.

He also showered praise on the fast bowler Mohammed Siraj who grabbed 10 wickets for 129 runs in the match saying he was terrific. Siraj had a decent outing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League this year and took 15 wickets in two first-class games for India ‘A’ in England last month.

“I think maturity is one thing. Definitely, the way he has bowled in last three to four games for us in England and here has been absolutely terrific. He has taken 26 wickets in last three to four games. Also 10 here. He is maturing and bowling good, and also he is becoming stronger physically,” Dravid concluded.

[interaction id=”5b695e0aafc9e4c04a1ca6f4″]

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates