tiolity not important for India coach's job: Dravid

Mumbai, May 14: With the Indian cricket team searching for a new coach following the exit of Duncan Fletcher, legendary batsman Rahul Dravid on Thursday said the team magement should look for someone who will be fit for the job and not look at the person’s tiolity.

“When we have to take a decision on selecting a coach, we can’t look at if he is an Indian or a foreigner. We have to look at someone who will be suitable for the job of the Indian cricket team. It is a professiol world now. From abroad they come to India and from here people travel abroad,” the former cricketer said here.

The former right-handed batsman, who is now the mentor for Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals, backed the current talk on a bilateral series between India and Pakistan.

“It is always interesting from a cricketing perspective to have an India-Pakistan series. It’s terrific to play against Pakistan. Obviously a series between India and Pakistan is more than that of cricket. It involves a lot of issues, security issues,” said the 42-year-old.

“Also, think about the political situation between the two countries. We, unfortutely, can’t ignore it. It all depends on the board and the ministries but for fans and us, it’s always good to have India-Pakistan series.”

Dravid was also asked about Kevin Pietersen not being selected for the England squad despite his triple ton for county side Surrey.

In reply, Dravid said: “The time I have interacted with Kevin I have enjoyed every bit of it. I have spent a couple of years with him at Rajasthan Royals. I never had issues with him. It is very disappointing from fans perspective.

“He is an exciting player. The whole thing is a bit strange as he was first given the impression that he would be picked if he would score runs. But now he has been told that he is not going to be picked.”

 Meanwhile Rajasthan Royals mentor today said having two bouncers in an over in Twenty20 cricket and making bowler-friendly wickets will bring balance to the contest between the bat and the ball in the shortest format of the game.

“Boundaries in few stadiums can be bigger, making a few bowler friendly wickets from which bowlers can benefit, with pace, bounce and spin. Like in the cricket World Cup we have seen two bouncers being used in one over, likewise in T20s also two bouncers should be allowed,” Dravid said at an event here.

“I think the balance between the bat and ball needs to be addressed. Scores around 160-170 make an exciting game in Twenty20. Some rules can surely be changed in this format,” the former Indian captain said.

Speaking on AB de Villiers’ style of playing and the way the South African approaches the game, Dravid said: “When I look at AB playing such shots, I think I have never ever dreamt of playing those shots which AB and Brendon McCullum play.

“I would say if any youngster has the ability and the potential to play like the way they play one should go about playing in that manner. These top players have shown the way to the youngsters and surely as the game goes ahead and progresses the young can try those.

“Even the great Viv Richards has shown how to play positive attacking cricket. Sath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwithara has showed how to play attacking cricket in first 15 overs. Game changes and player too change,” he said.

With business end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaching, his team Rajasthan Royals are placed fourth in the points table and face Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday in a must-win game to qualify for play-offs.

“We had done a good start to the tourment winning five back-to-back matches. Two matches was washed out due to rain and then lost a couple. Now we are in a stage where we can’t lose from here on, it’s important we win all. I don’t think Royals has performed badly in this season,” the 42-year-old batting legend said.

“One game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad where we were all out for 130 and we didn’t perform well but other than that we lost a few in small margins. We haven’t won crucial matches in the season which we should have won,” Dravid concluded. (IANS)