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This is an archive article published on May 1, 2008

We8217;re not a Test side in T20 jersey: Dravid

The former Indian captain said 'Twenty20 fates are decided in an over or two. Luck, rub of the green are factors here'.

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Bangalore Royal Challengers may have sunk to their fourth defeat in five matches but skipper Rahul Dravid on Wednesday vehemently dismissed suggestions that it8217;s basically a Test side in Twenty20 jersey.

Talking to reporters after their 10-run defeat against Delhi Daredevils in Wednesday8217;s Indian Premier League match, Dravid refused to buy the theory that his presence, along with that of the likes of Wasim Jaffer, makes it look more like a Test squad than a Twenty20 outfit.

8220;I don8217;t think so. Twenty20 fates are decided in an over or two. Luck, rub of the green are factors here,8221; said the former India captain.

8220;And it8217;s not that our team does not have youngsters.

If there is any missing link, I think we lack that x-factor,8221; he said.

According to Dravid, Delhi bowlers made all the difference in Wednesday8217;s match.

8220;I think the difference between the sides were Glenn McGrath8217;s wickets, both upfront and in the later stage. Daniel Vettori gave next to nothing in his four overs, V Yomahesh bowled tight too.

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8220;Twenty20 matches are decided in one-two overs and we needed two big overs, which we just didn8217;t get. Chasing 10 per over, we were right on track but could not eventually make it,8221; he rued.

Dravid also defended the ploy to open with Praveen Kumar, which fell flat on its face with the player falling in the first over itself. 8220;Chasing 10 runs per over, we had to send our stroke-players upfront. Praveen was sent up with this idea. If he could score 15-20 quick runs, things could have changed.

There was nothing wrong with the strategy,8221; he said.

Asked why the side kept out Misbah-ul-Haq despite the Pakistani8217;s expertise in this format of the game, Dravid said, 8220;It was difficult fielding all the foreigners. We needed an all-rounder because our bowling was not strong, so Jacques Kallis played. Ross Taylor would leave now and Misbah will definitely get his chance.8221;

Dravid is also banking on Anil Kumble8217;s return to bolster the attack.

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8220;I hope things would improve when Anil returns. Our fifth bowlers are conceding 50-odd runs. If Anil concedes little less, it would help the side,8221; he added.

 

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