Dravid: Rahane will be a ‘really good four or five’

Cricket365
September 7, 2015

India legend Rahul Dravid says Ajinkya Rahane will be 'really good' at number four or five in the Test side after he was shuffled around in the batting order in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka.

Rahane batted at number five in the first Test of the series in Galle but was shifted up the order, to number three, for the next two Tests as he swapped positions with Rohit Sharma.

Dravid, who batted at number three in the national side for more than decade, feels Rahane will be good against the second new-ball and when he has to bat with the tail.

Speaking to Cricinfo, Dravid said: "He is going to make a really good four or five. I am not saying he will not be able to do a three, but the kind of success he has had at five, his ability to be able to play with the tail, and the range of shots tell me he is going to be a good number five.

"It will also give him the opportunity to play the second new ball. He will have to play at whatever position he is required to for the team and that will mean sometime batting at three as was required in the Test (in Sri Lanka).

"It has been terrific for me to see how he has grown. The fact that he has kept his patience. It would not have been easy.

"When you see people racing ahead of you with not maybe the same (number of) first-class runs as you, suddenly getting more opportunities, I am sure that would not have been easy for him. It needs mental strength and courage to do that.

"For me the most pleasing fact is he has come out on the other side, the fact that has happened tells me there is the potential for a long and successful career."