Dravid: Rajasthan better equipped for death overs

Rahul Dravid, the Rajasthan captain said on Tuesday that death bowling is not a worry for them in T20-League-6 as not only their experienced bowlers are back, but also they have a good backup after signing some more exciting players.

Dravid, also acting as the coach this season said, "Last year, we were hampered by injuries to our main bowlers Shaun Tait, Kevon Cooper and Sreesanth. Moreover, Shane Watson was not available for most of the matches and that meant that the responsibility of bowling death overs was shouldered by rather inexperienced bowlers."

At the launch of official fan wear collection of the team, Dravid also said, "We had to pay price for that but this time we are better equipped. In the auctions, we went for Fidel Edwards and James Faulkner under our backup plans."

"Edwards can generate good pace like Tait and Australian youngster James Faulkner has been doing well in this version of cricket. Sreesanth too is fit and available. He has been bowling very well at the nets and practice matches. He is eager to prove himself and that is why he slogged in the nets even after the practice match. So this time we won't be facing the heat in death overs," said the captain.

Dravid also hinted that Shane Watson is likely to bowl in the tournament but mentioned that the actual decision lies with the Aussie all-rounder. "I feel at some point of time he will bowl but he will have to decide himself. He is such an imposing player and a person that his presence alone is great for us. He is an asset for us whether he bowls or not. He will be reaching Delhi on the morning of April 6 and would miss the first match (against Delhi) but would be available for the rest."

However, the skipper did not reveal who will open with Ajinkya Rahane. "Yes, we will have to think a lot about that matter but it also means that we will have more options to choose from. Ajinkya and I did a pretty good job at the start. We are planning out some new strategies which cannot be divulged here," he said.

Dravid, who scored 462 runs, including two half-centuries in the previous edition of the tournament, was asked whether he was concerned about the poor-form of Rahane and Watson in the last Test series. He replied, "Who says they are in bad form? I don't want to "jinx" Ajinkya. He has been batting very well in the nets and the practice matches, and Shane too can bounce back any time."

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