Dravid wants his batsmen to fire in crucial game Friday, September 22 2006 11:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
Kuala Lumpur:
Captain Rahul Dravid yesterday (21 Sep, 2006) puts the onus on his batsmen to deliver the goods in the crucial tri-series match against Australia, saying the top six batsmen should strive to bat for 50 overs if India wants to secure a place in the final.
Dravid, who has not been in the best of form with a sequence of 26, 6 and 0, says he is determined to produce a big knock in the must-win match.
"I am pretty focussed on the game tomorrow. My mind and energies are really on trying to win the tournament," Dravid says on the eve of the last league match against the three-time world champions at the Kinrara Oval.
"It is pretty important for us. I am not really trying to think about anything else."
After a splendid performance in their opening match against the West Indies, in which they posted 309 for five with Sachin Tendulkar leading from the front with an unbeaten 141, the Indian batting has floundered in the last two games.
They are reduced to 35 for five in their last meeting against Ricky Ponting's men before rain came to their rescue. And they were bundled out for 162 yesterday by a second string West Indian bowling.
"The top six or seven batsmen should play 50 overs. That will be our aim. It would be nice for a lot of guys to score runs, and personally as well," Dravid says.
"We will focus on playing good cricket. If we fulfill our target of good bowling, batting and fielding the result will be there. We are not going to put extra pressure on ourselves."