Dravid backing Dhoni's boys

Skipper backs his Twenty20 stand-in to succeed

By Phil Jackson   Last updated: 10th September 2007

Dravid backing Dhoni's boys

Dhoni: In charge for the Twenty20

Our death bowling, our batting - especially when we lose early wickets - our fielding can all be improved, but we can be a real threat.

Rahul Dravid
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Rahul Dravid is backing India's next generation to come to the fore at the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

Wicketkeeping batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni will skipper the side in South Africa, with veterans Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar all omitted from the squad.

Dhoni starred for India hitting a half-century in their seven-wicket defeat to England at Lord's on Saturday.

Despite the 4-3 one-day series defeat, India have recorded summer victories over South Africa, in the Future Cup, and England in the Tests.

Guidance

Eight of those involved in the one-day series against England will travel to South Africa, and Dravid has already given his stand-in some advice.

"I have told him to just relax and have fun," he said. "In a Twenty20 game, he probably won't have much time to think - it happens so fast.

"But I think he'll do well. He's got a good head on his shoulders and a good personality for the job.

"Obviously wicketkeeping and batting will be a challenge for him, with the captaincy.

"But what he has shown us in the last two years is maturity."

Growth

Dravid also believes the young squad headed for the Twenty20 can mount a serious challenge.

"There are some very good attacking players," he added. "Although some of the experienced players are not going, we have some others coming back with experience.

"Our death bowling, our batting - especially when we lose early wickets - our fielding can all be improved, but we can be a real threat."

India face Scotland first on September 13 at the Twenty20, before a crunch showdown with arch-rivals Pakistan the day after.