'We need Dravid in Australia'

Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of selectors of the BCCI received heavy criticism from all corners after former Indian captain Rahul Dravid was omitted from the ODI squad for the first two matches against arch rivals Pakistan. Ravi Shastri, on the contrary, came out in support of the decision, saying the seniors needed to be rested at regular intervals to extend their careers.

However, Shastri said that the team would require Dravid's experience during the forthcoming tour of Australia.

The former India all-rounder emphasized that the axe does not mean the end of Dravid’s one-day career. Shastri, the chairman of the National Cricket Academy, said that there was a strategy to rest one of the senior players after six games on the trot, in order to preserve them for at least two more years in Test cricket.

Shastri also said that Sachin Tendulkar is a worthy contender for Test captaincy as he commands tremendous respect in the team. Shastri felt handing over the reins to ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will put more burden on him as the longer version of the game is a lot more demanding.

Tendulkar had unsuccessful stints as captain on two previous occasions. Shastri felt that the little master would be ideal for the job since he had the support of senior players, something which he didn’t have when he led India before.

On the long-pending appointment of a coach for the team, Shastri said the post had to be filled but having a foreigner at the helm was not a necessity.